Jaylen Warren Takes Over Steelers Offense

PITTSBURGH — To this point in the season, one positive you can take away from the Pittsburgh Steelers offense is running back Jaylen Warren. The second-year undrafted free agent is just six yards behind Najee Harris as the team’s leading rusher, with 48 less carries. This week, that should change. If there was one bold prediction that comes with the change at offensive coordinator, it’s not Kenny Pickett becoming a Pro Bowl quarterback or George Pickens finding the endzone multiple times. It’s Warren taking over the shares at running back. The explosive runner has been the only light for the Steelers offense on more than one occasion this season, and in the last two weeks, has totaled back-to-back 100-yard games. Last week, doing it with just nine carries.

Moving forward, that should change. With Eddie Faulkner taking over as offensive coordinator, the running game is going to become the focal point of the Steelers offense. And while Harris will get his fair share of touches as the starter, expect Warren to become the lead man in terms of carries. Pittsburgh’s offense is looking for a spark. They don’t care how it comes or what changes they need to make to find it. And the easiest change they can make it putting the ball in Warren’s hands more often. A move you should anticipate them making. In Week 12 against the Bengals, the Steelers want to make the shift in their offense. The rest of the season is about finding out what works in time for a playoff run. Faulkner said they’ll “tweak” the plan week-by-week to discover the best course of action for the group. That will start with Warren being the bellcow. From there, they’ll change what they need to.