Despite collecting at least 500 yards from scrimmage in each of his three professional seasons, Jaylen Warren has yet to earn a start in the NFL. That will likely change in 2025, and the Steelers running back is eyeing the largest workload of his career.
Warren told reporters that he took a different tack with his offseason training in anticipation of more carries next season.
“I approached this off season differently,” Warren said (via Dale Lolley of the team’s website). “I did a lot more things for longevity wise, instead of my old-school training like just getting the cleats on and running 30 hills. I had to adapt. This game is about longevity. And like they say, the best ability is availability.”
It sounds like the running back has the support of the Steelers coaching staff. Mike Tomlin said Warren could “certainly” handle a larger workload, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith also hinted that the fourth-year player will see an increase on the 120 carries he garnered in 2024.
RB1 Najee Harris didn’t miss a game through Warren’s first three NFL seasons, slightly limiting the backup’s reps. Harris caught on with the Chargers this offseason, meaning Warren now has the first chance of his career to earn starting reps. The 26-year-old has already shown his ability to be an offensive focal point. He finished the 2023 campaign with 1,154 yards from scrimmage, and he followed that up with an 800-plus-yard season in 2024.
Warren is expecting even more in 2025, and considering the rest of the team’s depth, there’s a solid chance he’ll get there. The rest of the team’s RB room consists of offseason acquisitions. The team used a third-round pick on Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, and they added veterans like Kenneth Gainwell, Trey Sermon, and Evan Hull.