Steelers Will Ignite The Jaylen Warren Era In 2024: 'We're Looking At That Happening Sooner Rather Than Later'

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set up to have their best offensive season since before Ben Roethlisberger suffered his elbow injury during the 2019 season, as the offense has struggled mightily over the last several years. There has not been much to cheer for aside from some of the plays made by George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Jaylen Warren, or Najee Harris. Harris in particular has been a bright spot for Pittsburgh since the organization drafted him in 2021, as he has accounted for over a quarter of the offense's production throughout the last three seasons.

The Steelers and General Manager Omar Khan shocked the NFL world when they officially declined Harris' fifth-year option right at the deadline on May 2nd. The option would have kept Harris in Pittsburgh through the 2025 season, and guaranteed him $6.79 million. With the team declining the option, Harris will now hit free agency following the 2024 season, as long as he doesn't come to a new agreement or contract extension with Pittsburgh beforehand. Steelers insider, Ray Fittipaldo, discussed the topic of Harris returning after the 2024 season and Warren taking over the offense sooner than later on his podcast, North Shore Drive. 

"I think it's 90 to 95 percent sure that this is going to be Najee Harris' last year with the Steelers. And inevitably, I can't help but think that maybe we are on to the Jaylen Warren era where he's going to get the predominant carries in this offense. I think it's fair to wonder that. The play time percentages from last year, Harris 53%, Warren 49%.[Both on the field at the same time] The touches were pretty close. If we're going to get on with Jaylen Warren being the feature back in this offense, I think we're maybe looking at that happening sooner rather than later."

Warren and Harris have been one of the best running back duos in the NFL over the last two seasons, and Pittsburgh managed to find each player at the complete opposite end of the draft spectrum. Harris was a first round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, while Warren was an undrafted free agent in 2022. 

Warren and Harris have been carrying the Steelers offense on their backs for most of their careers. They have been running behind a below-average offensive line with play calls coming from the underwhelming Matt Canada. The duo also hasn't had impressive quarterback play, as the Steelers passing game has struggled for years. Now, the Steelers offense is primed for a great year behind new quarterback Russell Wilson and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. 

Warren came out of nowhere in 2022 and wound up being a really good complementary back to Harris. In 2023, he earned more playing time, more touches, and eclipsed 1,000 yards from scrimmage. He is often praised by many analysts and other people in NFL media. Over the last year, there has been a consistent debate about whether or not Warren or Harris should get the bulk of the touches out of the backfield. 

Steelers Could Be Learning From Other NFL Team's Mistakes

A common mistake has been made by a handful of NFL teams over the last several years. Teams don't want to pay their premiere running back what they are worth, and instead decide to move forward with their electrifying, third down running back that makes splash plays. The plan usually blows up in the team's face, and the third down back can't handle the workload of being a featured back. This was seen in 2023 with the Dallas Cowboys assuming Tony Pollard could be a three-down running back, and same with the Minnesota Vikings as they released Dalvin Cook after he had over 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2022, and trotted out Alexander Mattison instead. 

In this instance for Pittsburgh, Harris is the current featured back whose future is undecided, and Warren is the fun, third down back who might be able to take on the featured role. Pittsburgh would be smart by making Warren the featured back in 2024 while Harris is still on the roster. This way, if Warren doesn't work out, they can go back to the old ways, and if he does, than the organization knows they have a good featured back for the future. Even if this is Harris' last season with the Steelers, 2023 might have been his last year as the lead back.

Do you want to see Warren as the featured back in 2024?