On the day NFL free agents are free to openly negotiate with other teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers took a significant step toward retaining one of their free-agent running backs when they tendered Jaylen Warren a contract for 2025.
A pending restricted free agent, Warren received a second-round tender. That entitles Warren to a salary of $5.35 million this season should be choose to sign it. Warren remains free to speak with other teams, but the Steelers have the ability to match any offer sheet he may sign. Should they decline to, the Steelers would receive a second-round pick as compensation from that team.
Such conditions make it highly unlikely the 26-year-old Warren plays anywhere else in 2025 than in Pittsburgh with the team that signed him as an undrafted free agent three years ago. Warren made the team as a rookie and has since established himself as a clear No. 2 — in some ways, a “1A” — to former first-round pick Najee Harris.
Harris is an unrestricted free agent available to sign with other teams. The Steelers last spring declined Harris’ fifth-year option for 2025, in part because of a diminishing workload as a result of Warren.
Last season, Warren was on the field for 45% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps in the 15 games in which he played. He played 49% of the snaps in 2023, just below the 53% Harris played that season.
Warren over the past two seasons was the Steelers’ third-down back deployed in passing situations, his skills in pass protection a major reason why.
Warren has 1,674 rushing yards and a 4.8 per-carry average along with 127 catches for 894 yards with six total touchdowns in 48 career games. He also took on some kickoff return duties last season.
The diminutive but strong Warren (5-8, 215) plays a rugged style in which he sacrifices his body during runs and while blocking. He’s been fined several times for leading with his helmet when blocking. He missed two games because of a knee injury last season.
The Steelers also signed backup center Ryan McCollum to a contract. McCollum was an exclusive rights free agent. He started two games last season when rookie center Zach Frazier was injured.
Categories: Sports | Steelers/NFL
