When the Steelers let RB Najee Harris leave for the Chargers in free agency, it sure seemed to clear the way for Jaylen Warren to take the backfield lead. GM Omar Khan confirmed that at this week's NFL meetings.
What They're Saying
Khan, via Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live: "I do view him as a starter-capable. He's played a lot of football for us so obviously we have a lot of confidence. He has a big opportunity this year and we'll see how it goes."
2025 Fantasy Football Impact
The Steelers have so far added only former Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell to the backfield. We'd bet another RB comes via the draft. And if nothing lines up there, I'd bet on Pittsburgh importing another free agent.
It's also worth noting that the team has so far only given Warren a restricted free agent tender (at the second-round level) rather than extending his contract further.
In short: This backfield picture's still developing for 2025.
Of course, Warren looks like the best current bet to lead the way. And the caliber of any further addition(s) should show us just how much the Steelers believe in him.
Warren looked like an ascending player in 2023 but dealt with multiple injuries while regressing in 2024.
If he's healthy and leading the backfield in 2025, then there's intriguing upside.