After dominating in the trenches in Paris, France, the Pittsburgh Steelers returned home and did it once again against the Cleveland Browns to claim first place in the AFC North. With a season-high eight sacks, the defense shut down Deshaun Watson and the Browns' offense altogether. Cleveland's run game couldn't help Watson either, as the Browns finished with just 34 rushing yards, and the Steelers' defense has allowed fewer than 50 rushing yards in back-to-back games.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig prepares to hit Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during a Week 8 win in November 2026.
The offense scored 27 points behind another Jaylen Warren masterclass, with Warren logging 143 yards and averaging 8.4 yards per carry. The offense has been living off the playmaking running back, and it's winning games because of it. With the return of Rico Dowdle, the coaching staff took some work off Warren's plate, but he's still been very effective and is efficient with his touches.
Warren was electric in the win against Cleveland, even logging a 51-yard rush on a third-and-long thanks to a valiant effort. The offense thrives off the former Oklahoma State standout. His energy and effort are even catching the attention of some of Pittsburgh's defenders, with TJ Watt having nothing but great things to say about the former undrafted free agent.
During his postgame press conference, Watt gushed over Warren and offered insight into how much football means to the running back. He noted how difficult Warren is to tackle and his selflessness as a teammate, and he believes his love for football reflects in how he plays. Arguably, no player on the Steelers' offense plays harder than Warren, even when he doesn't have the ball.
"He's a bowling ball with teeth, man; you can't get him down," Watt said. "Jaylen's just funny, man. He's the guy that's out there in December when we're practicing, and it's like 12 degrees, and he's in a T-shirt and shorts, and it's like, what the heck? That's just who he is. He's a hard tackle. He's a great locker room guy, very selfless. But man, he loves football, and you can see it in the way that he plays."
Warren has become a fan favorite in Pittsburgh with his hard running and dynamic abilities. Even though he shared a backfield with Najee Harris for three seasons, he still made the most of his opportunities and kept a roster spot. He's not only a favorite in Steeler Nation, but also in the locker room, as Watt's words make clear. Warren hasn't gotten much attention over the years, but that's finally changing in his breakout season.
Barry Reeger / Imagn Images
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter of an NFL game at Acrisure Stadium.
Warren is under contract with Pittsburgh through the 2027 season, after which he can become a free agent. If he stays on his current trajectory, he will force the organization to make a very tough decision. Given how much they've leaned on him and the run game, he's arguably their most valuable player, but when it comes time to negotiate, will they treat him like it?
Steelers Will Need To Make A Decision On Warren Following 2026 Season
While Warren is having a spectacular season, turning 28 on November 1
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