Two-year extension for Jaylen Warren

Well this at least shows you what Omar and the Steelers coaches think of the Warren vs Harris debate

The 5th year option for Harris would have been foolish as I previously explained but I’m still surprised they didn’t come to a deal similar to what he got from the Chargers

He apparently did something to make himself persona non grata aside from his play on the field

Reading between the lines I think the Steelers discussed an extension and Harris way over played his hand and they moved on

 

Please don't fumble at critical times.

 

CHEAP ORG!!!!

 

@steelersrule6 your thoughts please

if you can form one on your own

 

This effectively ends the Harris vs Warren debate as far as Pittsburgh is concerned. Moreover to the point, it buys Pittsburgh time to see what they have in Kaleb Johnson until 2027 at the earliest. Solid move indeed.


Boswell should be up next. Heyward soon thereafter.

 

Warren's durability though is still a major question mark. Don't forget he got banged up pretty good last season. I'd imagine there is going to be more Kenneth Gainwell to start out the season; much to the dismay of many.


That said, Kaleb's Pass Protection must improve to take snaps away. Until it does, he isn't seeing the field in the early portions of the season.

 

good signing steelheads.

 

His rookie season unknowledgeable posters here kept complaining James Connor wasn’t seeing the field more

And this is exactly why

Once his blocking improved his play time increased

 

I wouldn’t say he made himself persona non grata so much as he simply wasn’t a good fit for what smith wants to do. That’s what happens when you change coordinators/coaches. If a player doesn’t fit your scheme they’re replaced with someone that does.

 

Now while I'm happy for Warren, and I pray he does very well.
I would say the 423 more touches they gave Najee over Warren, and I'm only counting the years they both played, would show me what they thought ,while they were both on the team. 423 touches more, is a way , way lot to give to a guy you think is the lesser guy.

 

I was referring to the history history specifically by Fox Sports per this page here.


I knew he was out via the knee injury. I had forgotten about those hammy injuries.

 

So he’s missed 3 games in 3 years?

 

Yep.


For that matter, Le'veon Bell had to go through much of the same as well. Jaylen technically did too but he was already well versed in pass blocking coming out of Oklahoma State. Najee was moderately okay coming out of Alabama but his ability to run was his biggest highlight; again, coming out of college.


Kaleb has some work to do there. He has improved from Rookie Minicamp until now but not to the point of earning more snaps. Once that happens, he will be a fixture on the Offense. Until then, it is both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell who are backs 1 and 2.

 

Again, I did say 2024 specifically.


That is what the Fox Sports page is referring to. In addition, I said banged up. I didn't state he missed any playing time.

 

Not to mention, one of his few fumbles was in one of the 3 playoff games he played in.

either way, it’s a good deal. We keep Warren here for a while longer and he will be a big part of the backfield no matter what happens with Kaleb Johnson. Looking forward to having him head the backfield for 2025.

 

I dont think this shows they like Warren more, i mean it essentially puts Warren at 17 mil over three years with 12 mil guaranteed. It looks too me like they kept the complimentary piece and drafted Johnson because it was going to be cheaper than keeping Harris and Warren together. Also drafting Johnson shows that they dont think Warren can last as the 1st and 2nd down back. For the record I was okay them letting Harris walk, while he was a good back it just didnt make alot of sense for the Steelers to keep him and lock him into a multi year deal.

 

I hear what you’re saying, but I think draft pedigree mattered too… especially if one isn’t massively better than the other (I’d argue that Warren is as a runner, but they’re different backs). First round capital is VERY steep for RB’s and you’re going to give those guys a lot of leeway before moving on. Warren was undrafted. He certainly earned the touches he got, but when they feel like they are close in ability they’re always going to err towards the side of the guy we drafted high.

we gave Harris every opportunity to pan out. It would’ve been nice if he did, but he just wasn’t quite good enough. He will get sparing touches in LA while Hampton takes it over and will likely be given no starting opportunities for 2026. He’s going to have to play well and get a little lucky to stay NFL relevant past 2026

 

They should've waited to see how this season plays out .