Two-year extension for Jaylen Warren

They did not use Warren like a lead back Sunday. Hopefully, they are easing him into it after barely playing him in the preseason, but it sure seemed like they don't trust him with that sort of workload, as I suspected.

That Gainwell got the majority of the snaps Sunday is the best argument yet that the Steelers should have kept Harris. It is even worse that Warren was largely removed the role where he thrived most, as the back in passing situations. He may not be as consistent as Harris, but he is the Steelers' best option in blitz pick-up. He is also fantastic and turning short passes into big gains that convert third downs. What we saw Sunday was a team that was weaker in both roles, lead back and third-down back. It seems as if they are going to need Johnson to step up to even get their running backs to the level they were last season.

Clearly, the Steelers know it, too. That is why they continued to start Harris over Warren all of last season, including the playoff game. That is why they gave him more snaps and more touches. Even they know he is better, but they foolishly wasted the opportunity to keep him on the one-year option. The choice wasn't Harris or Warren. it was Harris and Warren or Gainwell and Warren. The latter is the far worse option and that's what they stupidly chose.

 

I agree and also the ability of the OL to run block or rather lack there of. . We are going to have to find our best puller and start running counters and traps IMO..Our man on man is not getting any push and our zone blocking is not making any creases either,

 

this is up to Meyer and Smith to get their heads out of their *$#'s and FIGURE IT OUT!

these guys are YOUNG and ATHLETIC - FIGURE IT OUT!

that early run in the Q3, where our T or G pulled, sprung Warren for ~ 10 - more of that stuff.

old school Steelers style running

 

So you were going to avoid it until you thought you could use it to get a win. Got it.

Too bad you can't accurately do that. It isn't a win because Warren did not fully take on Harris's old role. Warren took on the type of work Harris did, which is also a mistake, but not the volume. Any time Gainwell is leading the the running backs in snaps is a very bad sign.

It is not rehashing things to point out that it is a very bad idea to take Warren out of the situations where he thrived. Third down efficiency is huge. The Steelers are far better on third downs with Warren out there instead of Gainwell. He is better at turning short passes into longer gains. He is better than Gainwell at picking up blitzes. He is a more dangerous threat as a runner. Replacing him with Gainwell in those situations is a downgrade.

He may not be suited to Harris's old role, either. He still hasn't shown he can carry a lead back's workload. He is also a significant downgrade in short yardage. Right now, this team doesn't have a back it trusts to try to move the pile and power his way for a yard when it is needed.

We do agree on one thing. Johnson seems to be a long way from taking a significant role. What you don't get is that is a bad thing. The Steelers need a power back. They need someone to take on more of that early-down work so they can use Warren where he is most effective. Instead, they are settling for giving way too much time to a scrub like Gainwell. Hopefully things will change, but after one week, the evidence points to it being a mistake to let Harris get away.

 

Yes , after one game it looks like we may miss Harris some.
Lets see what happens this week.

 

Kaleb Johnson must step up and be RB1. Isn't this why Steelers drafted him?

KJ was one of three players Steelers need to produce in 2025 in order for Steelers to have a snowball's chance in January.

 

I don't like throwing rocks early , but Johnson didn't look good at all to me .. He had some open lanes on the kickoffs he never found them, he didn't look fast to me , he also didn't show much power as the first guy got him down most of the time..

Can he get better ? Man I hope so ,but I already have my doubts he will ever be a feature RB in the NFL..IMO he is not fast for his size and has little power for his size, I personally think he either needs to cut from 225 and get faster and more agile or bulk and become a power runner...My personal opinion he would be better to go the power RB way because of his lack of vision and field awareness..

 

Agreed, not impressed with Kaleb Johnson at all on the Kickoff returns.

I still think I want to see Roman Wilson on the kickoff return duties.

 

I agree kick returns can change the games outcome , field position is huge in play calling ,but I think the Team is trying to get him better and probably wont make a change unless he starts turning the ball over or gets hurt..If we had another great WR Metcalf would be a beast as he could Power that 1st. wave and is very elusive if he got into open field..I understand we can't risk that , but I hope they consider that option late in the game if we need a boost...

 

In the playoffs for sure, if nobody else's steps up before then.

 

Not sure if Wilson could hold up long term at KR. It's a brutal job... and Wilson is fragile enough as it is, already missing an entire season.

 

Najee has 5 yards on the season

Maybe the Steelers should have over paid him and given him two years guaranteed

Obviously they liked Najee better this off season

I just thought I would jump in here

 

Nobody ran well vs the Jets. That's all we have to go on so far. 3RBs, 3 not good outings for week 1. Does that make all 3 bad NFL RBs?


I think maybe let's get into October before we give up on anyone.
Except for Mason Rudolph of course. Lol

 

That's 5 yard rushing on one carry, and 5 yard rec on one catch. So that brings his average up to 5 ypc this year. LoL

 

You are correct. It's actually too soon to evaluate this team , or any team right now, let alone players.

 

You are right to imply the sample size was too small, but others went there first in talking about how little Harris got the ball in the Chargers' opener even though he was just returning from the eye injury.

 

I am reflecting what you wrote in your post. You wrote that you were going to ignore the post, but you thought you had a chance to prove me wrong, so you replied. That is what I meant by you going for a win. If you think that is immature, so be it.

When there is still something to say, I respond. I am quite tenacious. So are you, by the way.

 

Returning kickoffs and running from scrimmage are very different animals. That he is a mediocre kick returner at best doesn't give me any concerns about his long-term potential at running back.

 

Maybe we should wait a while to make determinations about Harris and the Steelers' current running backs. Or we could jump to conclusions after one week.

For the record, the comments about Harris came first. I replied by pointing out how bad things looked for the Steelers Sunday. That said, I am concerned about Gainwell getting so many touches. That is not good.