"Don't Take Away Nothing From Jaylen": Joe Haden Sends Steelers' Coaching Staff A Strong Warning

In 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers boasted an exceptional one-two punch at running back with Jaylen Warren and free agent acquisition Kenneth Gainwell. Both running backs have similar skill sets, but different playing styles. Gainwell is arguably better in space, making people miss, whereas Warren demands a crowd when being tackled. Neither has elite breakaway speed, but they were efficient. So much so that Gainwell was voted team MVP at the end of the season. Now that Gainwell is gone, the franchise went out in free agency and signed his replacement in Rico Dowdle, hoping to have the same pedigree in the running back room in 2026. 

Dowdle was a late bloomer in the NFL, but he has established himself as a star. The former Carolina Panthers standout is coming off his second straight 1,000-yard season, his first being with the Dallas Cowboys. Two straight 1,000-yard seasons is outstanding enough, but with two different teams is even more impressive. Now he will find himself sharing a backfield with Warren, who is expected to become more of a third-down back, with Dowdle getting the first and second down touches. When Warren gets the ball, he makes magic happen, and one former Steelers defender strongly advised the team not to minimize his role in the offense. .

Former Steelers cornerback Joe Haden recently appeared on an episode of his show Deebo & Joe, where they discussed the team's backfield. Haden mentions Warren's value as an early down back, specifically pointing out his ability to get downhill and run between the tackles. Warren's game has evolved since being an undrafted free agent in 2022, and he's been arguably the team's most underrated piece on the offensive side of the ball. 

"I don't see him limiting his role to strictly 3rd, like the way that Jaylen totes that ball, bro. First down, the way he hits the hole, second down, he can go in between the tackles, he can go outside. He's an every down back," Haden said. "Don't take away nothing from Jaylen and letting him get in between them tackles 'cause he gets busy... Don't minimize Jaylen Warren's role." 

Throughout his career, Warren has always had to split carries with another running back on the team. Between Najee Harris, Gainwell, and now Dowdle, he's never been able to be the true RB1. It's been a great problem to always have two capable running backs on the roster for the Steelers, but Warren has only gotten better over the years and is waiting to break out. 

Perhaps they need to start trusting the former Oklahoma State product more this season, rather than minimizing him. 

Steelers Could Continue Running Back Strategy

One good thing the Steelers' offense has done the past two seasons is run their running backs by committee -- never having a true traditional bell cow, riding the hot hand. It makes game planning for the team's rushing attack much harder. With the skill sets they now have, it's a great opportunity to continue deploying their rushers. Dowdle is a very effective early-down back, but he is entering year seven and perhaps shouldn't shoulder the bulk of the workload. 

With Warren being forced to share touches, he hasn't had to endure a ton of wear and tear, just the normal bumps and bruises. It will be interesting to see how Mike McCarthy distributes touches in the backfield. Between the familiarity of Dowdle from their time in Dallas and the pedigree of Warren, there is only one football, and they will have to find a way to feed both of their backs. 

If the Steelers continue with their previous strategy, both players should be able to touch the ball consistently. Rather than having a starter, just having a 1A and 1B may be the best way to use both of these players. 

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