Steelers Seriously Urged To Make Jaylen Warren The Center Of Their Offense Ahead Of Week 5 Matchup

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense has been hot and cold to start the 2026 regular season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the pass catchers have connected on some big plays, but have failed to move the ball consistently. The offensive line has been moved around and has shown flashes, but its Week 4 performance against the Cleveland Browns was a cause for concern. The one area of the offense that has been efficient specifically over the last two weeks is running back Jaylen Warren.

Warren, while only totaling 89 rushing yards through the Steelers' first two games of the season, has been extremely efficient. Even in these two games, he averaged around 4 yards per carry, a decent mark. In a Week 3 matchup with the rival Cincinnati Bengals, Warren exploded, rushing for 127 yards on just 17 carries and averaging a stellar 7.5 yards per carry. He added 49 receiving yards on 3 receptions as well, showing that he can do it all. In Pittsburgh's Week 4 loss to the Browns, Warren was promising yet again. He rushed for 93 yards on 17 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, another great mark. The problem surrounding Warren right now is that new head coach Mike McCarthy may be underusing him.

Pittsburgh seemingly went away from the run game during the contest against the Browns, which makes some sense because the team was down multiple possessions for most of the game. The Steelers were able to get back into the game and eventually tie the score late in the fourth quarter, but many Steelers fans believe this game could have been won if Warren were given more opportunities. 

During a recent episode of Kaboly + Mack Live, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly commented on Warren's usage and how it is affecting the offense's production.

"What is strange is that over the past two weeks, Warren has played 126 of the Steelers' offensive snaps, but has only touched the ball 40 times," Kaboly noted. "They have to give him the ball more. He is the one guy that you probably feel best about on the offense right now. He is on a heater and giving him the ball is what the Steelers' identity should be. I think McCarthy is overthinking himself."

Warren's 5.6 yards per carry on the year ranks 3rd among qualifying running backs in the NFL. He ranks 9th in the league in rushing yards with 309. These numbers are significant, as it does not seem like anyone can slow him down. Pittsburgh establishing a more consistent play-calling scheme could allow Warren to see more touches, and from what he has shown so far, this could lead to more production.

Warren has been with the Steelers his entire career, dating back to the 2022 season. He went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft before being signed as an undrafted free agent by Pittsburgh. He has averaged over 4.3 yards per carry every year of his career, an amazing mark of consistency. He has never truly been given a workhorse-type role in the offense, but the hope is that 2026 could be the year when all of that changes. 

Steelers' Running Back Depth Has Always Hampered Warren

Pittsburgh has usually had a two-way committee at running back since Warren arrived in the Steel City. From 2022 to 2024, Najee Harris was the lead back in Pittsburgh. In 2025, Warren was listed as the starter and totaled the most rushing yards of his career, but Kenneth Gainwell also performed well and took some of the opportunities that would have gone to Warren. In 2026, it has been more of the same, as Rico Dowdle arrived in town during the 2026 offseason and saw about half of the offensive snaps through the first two weeks of the season. Dowdle is currently sidelined with a right toe sprain that has kept him out of Pittsburgh's last two contests and has allowed for Warren to see the majority of the snaps on offense. If Dowdle remains out or if the coaching staff finally gives Warren a workhorse role, he could be in for a monster season, something that it seems he has always been capable of given the opportunity. 

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