Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Asks Unpopular Question About Jaylen Warren: "Awful"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have found an offensive superstar in Jaylen Warren, but franchise legend Ben Roethlisberger is raising a question that fans probably don't want to hear. Warren has become the centerpiece of Mike McCarthy's offense, and his explosive performance against the Indianapolis Colts only strengthened that argument. However, Roethlisberger is wondering whether Pittsburgh is thinking about the long-term consequences of giving its running back so much responsibility.

Warren was sensational during Pittsburgh's 34-22 victory over Indianapolis, recording 188 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. He carried the football 15 times for 101 yards while catching six passes for another 87 yards. His 80-yard touchdown reception and 50-yard touchdown run reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be when given opportunities.

During a recent episode of his Footbahlin podcast, Roethlisberger discussed Warren's growing workload and the difficult decisions NFL organizations face regarding running backs. The former Steelers quarterback acknowledged that his comments might sound harsh, especially considering how much Warren means to Pittsburgh's offense. Still, Roethlisberger decided to ask the uncomfortable question.

"How many touches can he withstand? How many can he handle? Does the team care? And I'm going to say this, and I probably shouldn't. It will come across as awful," Roethlisberger said. "Running backs are... we're trying to win right now. Running back's one of the positions teams don't want to keep them around for seven, eight, nine, ten years. That's because of the wear and tear on their body."

That's a fascinating perspective from someone who understands the physical demands of professional football better than most.

Roethlisberger spent 18 seasons playing quarterback in Pittsburgh, absorbing countless hits while helping the Steelers win two Super Bowls. His comments weren't necessarily an accusation that McCarthy or the organization doesn't care about Warren's health. Instead, he was highlighting the uncomfortable business reality surrounding NFL running backs.

Teams want to maximize their most talented players while they're available, even when increased usage creates concerns about their longevity.

Warren has accumulated 89 offensive touches through Pittsburgh's first five games of the 2026 season. That includes 70 rushing attempts and 19 receptions, an average of 17.8 touches per game. He's produced 640 yards from scrimmage, including 410 rushing yards and 230 receiving yards.

Interestingly, his workload has become more consistent over the last three games. Warren recorded 20 touches against Cincinnati, 20 against Cleveland and 21 against Indianapolis. That's 61 opportunities in three games, with Pittsburgh increasingly relying on him to generate explosive plays.

Roethlisberger understands why the Steelers keep feeding him the football. He also believes Pittsburgh should explore other ways to take advantage of Warren's presence.

"He is just the best player on the offense, and you got to find ways to get him the ball," Roethlisberger said. "Or you could use him as a decoy."

Steelers' Jaylen Warren Faces Brutal Reality As Workload Increases

Roethlisberger's concerns deserve attention, but there's another side to this conversation that shouldn't be overlooked. For several seasons, Steelers fans were practically begging the coaching staff to give Warren more opportunities. He spent much of his early career sharing the backfield with Najee Harris, preventing him from carrying the kind of workload normally associated with a featured running back.

Warren recorded just 77 rushing attempts in 2022, followed by 149 in 2023 and 120 in 2024. His responsibilities expanded considerably in 2025, when he registered 211 carries and 40 receptions across 16 games.

That history matters because Warren hasn't endured the same sustained rushing workload as some longtime NFL starters. His previous role limited his touches, potentially reducing some of the accumulated punishment associated with handling 300 carries every season.

However, that doesn't eliminate the concern entirely. Warren is now 27 years old, and his physical running style regularly exposes him to contact. Pittsburgh must recognize that his effectiveness comes partly from the aggression that makes him such an exciting player.

The challenge is balancing that aggression with the need to keep him productive throughout an entire season. Roethlisberger's suggestion about using Warren as a decoy deserves consideration, too. Defenses have to respect his explosiveness, which creates opportunities for Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh's other offensive weapons.

Ultimately, the Steelers shouldn't become afraid to use their best offensive player. Warren has earned his opportunities, and Pittsburgh's offense is clearly better when he's heavily involved.

However, Roethlisberger has raised a legitimate question about how much responsibility one player should carry. The Steelers need Warren to help them win right now, but they also need him healthy when the games become even more important.

Do you agree with Ben Roethlisberger's concerns about Jaylen Warren's workload? Follow me on X @anthonyghalkias and let Steeler Nation know.

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