The Pittsburgh Steelers have locked up running back Jaylen Warren on a two-year contract extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2027 season, according to a social media post from Warren’s agent, David Canter.
Warren, 26, joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Over his first three NFL seasons, his reliable pass protection and nimble running style helped him carve out a role behind 2021 first-round pick Najee Harris. He has averaged 4.8 yards per carry and totaled 1,674 rushing yards with six touchdowns in that span.
This offseason, the Steelers let Harris walk and moved Warren into a potential starting role, but his long-term security had been uncertain after he entered the market as a restricted free agent. Pittsburgh placed a second-round tender on Warren last offseason, which would have netted him roughly $5.346 million if he stayed with the team under that tag. Financial terms of the new extension were not disclosed.
The deal signals the Steelers’ confidence in Warren as a central piece of the backfield, especially as they added depth to the position this offseason with Kenneth Gainwell signing and Kaleb Johnson being drafted in the third round. How the carries will be distributed remains to be seen, but the extension represents a clear vote of confidence in Warren as he eyes a leading role.
What this means for the Steelers: Warren’s proven two-way ability and the new contract could anchor a ground game that also features Gainwell’s versatility and Johnson’s youth, giving Pittsburgh a multi-faceted backfield heading into training camp and the season. Expect competition and a committee approach to shape the workload, with Warren at the forefront of the offense.
Summary: The deal gives Warren long-term security and positions him as a key component of Pittsburgh’s backfield, in a year when the Steelers are building around a new look at running back. The team’s confidence in him comes as they bolster the depth chart with new additions, suggesting a continued emphasis on a productive, multifaceted running game.
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