Crushing Theory Believes Jaylen Warren's Time With The Steelers May Be Up Sooner Than Most Think

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be talked about a lot throughout the 2025 offseason. The quarterback situation is still up in the air, as is the running back spot. Najee Harris has been the starting running back in Pittsburgh over the last four seasons, but he is slated to hit free agency in March. There is still the chance that the organization gives him a new deal before he reaches that time period, but Harris will probably want to test out his value elsewhere. He may give the Steelers a chance to match whatever offer he receives, but it would be understood if he didn't want to play in Pittsburgh anymore.

Harris has been a good running back since being drafted in 2021, but he has not been able to live up to his first-round label. The organization declined his fifth-year option, which would have paid him a fully-guaranteed $6.79 million in 2025. However, the organization could still be considering giving Harris a new multi-year deal. If a new contract were to come, it would likely land around $7 million per season, maybe more. Insider Ray Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan on Friday where he discussed the future of the position in Pittsburgh.

"If the contract does get done, maybe they could work it where it comes out to $7 million a year and it's what you would've been paying 'em anyway," Fittipaldo said. "But I mean, this is a great running backs class. You can get a guy to go with Jaylen Warren. I don't know, maybe in the end guys, maybe it's Jaylen Warren who's gonna be the odd guy out after the 2025 season."

The Steelers have plenty of avenues to explore when it comes to the running back position. As Fittipaldo said, the position is very strong and deep in the 2025 draft class, Harris could be re-signed, and Jaylen Warren is a restricted free agent. Since Warren was undrafted, the Steelers have the ability to place a Restricted Free Agent tender on the running back. This basically means the Steelers will be able to match any other offer Warren gets in free agency.

The Steelers have two options when it comes to placing a tender on Warren. The organization can use a Right of First Refusal tender on Warren which would cost about $3.18 million for the 2025 season. This type of tender just allows the organization to match any offer sheet Warren may sign from another team, but the Steelers would get nothing if they decide to allow Warren to walk. The other option is a Second Round tender which would cost $5.21 million in 2025. This also gives the Steelers the opportunity to match any other offer, but Pittsburgh would receive a second-round pick if Warren were to go elsewhere.

The prices of these tenders are important. Warren would be in the same spot as Harris is currently a year from now, and his next deal would be built off of what he made in 2025 and how he performed. 

Steelers Re-Signing Najee Harris Could Be The End Of Jaylen Warren

If the Steelers do decide to bring Harris back in 2025, Pittsburgh may just let Warren leave after the 2025 season. The Steelers would likely have Harris under contract for multiple seasons, and they are in the market for a running back during the 2025 NFL Draft. This would open the door for Warren to leave and join a new team for the 2026 season.

Most fans want Warren to be the new lead back in Pittsburgh. More often than not, he is more explosive than Harris, and he also seems to be more versatile. It will be interesting to see what the organization decides to do, but Warren may not be as safe in Pittsburgh as most fans think.

What do you think about re-signing Harris? Let us know in the comments below!

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