Steelers' Jaylen Warren Motivated In 2023 To "Step My Game Up" After Watching Anthony McFarland Jr. (Steelers News)
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Steelers' Jaylen Warren Motivated In 2023 To "Step My Game Up" After Watching Anthony McFarland Jr.

Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
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Initially drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Anthony McFarland Jr. established himself as an agile player who made the game look easy. While playing football at the University of Maryland for just two years, he made headlines as a running back with quickness and exceptional catching abilities, further proving this at the NFL Combine. During his years at UMD, McFarland ran with the ball 245 times and gained 1,648 yards, averaging about 6.7 yards each time he carried the ball. McFarland's performance in 2019 was hindered by a persistent injury, but as a freshman, he established a team record with 1,022 running yards.

Steelers Anthony McFarland

JORDAN SCHOFIELD / STEELERNATION (TWITTER / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)

Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. has stood out all summer, making it likely that he wins the third-string job in 2023.

Despite all of this, he struggled to overtake Benny Snell and James Conner during his rookie season in Pittsburgh. In his next two seasons, the ability that both Najee Harris and Snell possessed prevented McFarland from seeing the field once again, after which Jaylen Warren easily overcame him in the last year. McFarland's route back to becoming the team's third running back is now more open than ever, especially since Snell has formally entered the free agency market. Harris and Warren will undoubtedly be the first and second choices in the backfield, but there are a number of other running backs vying for the third spot as well.

During the team's time in Latrobe, Warren spoke highly of McFarland via DK Pittsburgh Sports

"Just seeing how versatile he is and watching him run routes and being able to do everything that a back should be able to do, that motivates me to step up my game," Warren said. "We can throw people off. We have different skillsets. I’m more of a heavier back, he’s more of a quick, fast back."


McFarland has worked with the Steelers for more than four years now since being drafted. While on the 53-man roster during his first season, he only made 11 appearances and received 39 touches on 89 snaps. However, his advantage among other potential players is in his NFL background. Compared to other running backs on the roster like Greg Bell and Darius Hagans, McFarland seems to have precedence over them. 

Steelers Anthony McFarland

jordan schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / x: @JSKO_photo)

McFarland using his quickness to advance the ball to the end zone.

When McFarland left Maryland, he recorded a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash, and he displayed some of that speed in his rookie season in the Steel City. Additionally, McFarland has a solid pass-catching ability, so it is possible to line him up in the backfield as well as the slot. While only touching the ball four times and gaining a total of 23 yards during the team's first preseason game against Tampa Bay, McFarland displayed his swiftness as he scored on a touchdown run of 14 yards in the second quarter. He is now demonstrating more clearly what he was unable to do a year ago, notably in his physicality as a runner and pass protector as well.

Steelers Anthony McFarland Jr.

USA Today

Anthony McFarland burst into the open field against the Dallas Cowboys.

McFarland's best chance of securing a spot this season is to impress the coaches with his unique team play, which is mostly why Snell was selected over him last year. Since Snell has gone into free agency, McFarland now has a greater opportunity to play a more dominating role in the Steelers offense. If he does make the roster, it is difficult to determine how much playing time he will receive, given that Harris and Warren are Pittsburgh's leading running backs. Nevertheless, McFarland seems willing and ready to do whatever is required of him in order to prove himself, whether that be picking up blitzes, running routes of any depth, and running through tackles.

The 2020 fourth-round pick spent most of last season on the practice squad. Although the 25-year-old is unlikely to play a large part this season, he has been impressing in training camp and has a chance to secure the team's RB3 slot. Ultimately, it will come down to Thursday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons to determine how versatile McFarland really can be.


Will McFarland make an impact on the Steelers and fans Thursday night? Where will you be watching the game from? Leave your comments down below!

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