Jaw-Dropping Prediction: Steelers’ Unsung Running Back Poised for a Cataclysmic 2025 Breakout That Will Shock the NFL Universe

The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ offense will look different this coming season in more ways than one. Not only is the Aaron Rodgers era underway at quarterback, but he has new skill position weapons at his disposal as training camp approaches.

The wide receiver and tight end spots get a lot of buzz, and rightfully so. Running back, however, shouldn’t be overlooked. Following the departure of Najee Harris, the rotation will change even if one of the names in it remains the same.

Veteran Jaylen Warren, in particular, could be due for a big-time season. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report believes so, naming Warren to his list of halfbacks in the best positions for 2025 breakouts.

Jaylen Warren Projected to Get ‘First Crack’ at RB1 Role for Steelers

Moton is aware that Warren doesn’t fit the bill of a workhorse in the backfield. He doesn’t necessarily have to, though, in order to still see an uptick in production.

“At 5’8″ and 215 pounds, Warren doesn’t have the prototypical size for a featured running back, but he’s been efficient with his carries across his three NFL seasons,” Moton wrote. “Warren is averaging 4.8 yards per carry through 48 career games. Unless Johnson looks incredible in training camp and the preseason, Warren figures to get the first crack at being the Steelers’ lead ball-carrier. He has never recorded more than 15 carries in a game, but that could change this year.”

Warren’s best season was the 2023-24 campaign. Playing in all 17 regular-season games, he set career-high marks in attempts (149), rushing yards (784), rushing touchdowns (4) and yards per carry (5.3). In the same season, Harris toted the ball 255 times and amassed 1,035 yards with 8 scores to boot. He did so while averaging just 4.1 yards per carry, making Warren the more effective back overall.

Now imagine a world with Warren still not even turning 27 years old. Imagine him having fewer than 350 carries under his belt. This is reality. He’s still relatively young, fresh and poised to be the club’s starter. Should he even settle at 4.5 yards per carry in 2025 but receive 200 tries, he’d be at a career-best 900 yards.

Kaleb Johnson deserves respect as a third-round pick, and his insane final collegiate season indicated he has a bright future. But camp will see less of a position battle and more so a test to see how ready Johnson is. Barring the former Iowa standout looking like prime Le’Veon Bell, a longtime Steelers legend, Warren has the inside edge for more volume.

Sound Rushing Attack Could Be Key for Pittsburgh’s 2025 Offense

An overwhelming majority of chatter about the Steelers’ 2025 offense centers around the passing game. It’s expected, as throwing the ball is the current meta in football. Rodgers is the shiny new toy in town. Adding receiver DK Metcalf and tight end Jonnu Smith doesn’t hurt, either. There’s no denying that an improved passing attack would guide Pittsburgh to better days, but a new-look rushing attack may set and raise their floor.

Only three teams ran the ball more than the Steelers a season ago: the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions. Despite that, Mike Tomlin’s crew sat just outside the top 10 in total rushing yards. Advanced stats hated the Pittsburgh run game, which doesn’t help matters. According to SumerSports, the Steelers ranked 28th in EPA/rush (-0.09) in 2024-25.

Of 46 running backs to log at least 100 attempts last season, Warren ranked 16th in yards after contact per attempt per Pro Football Focus. Harris was 31st. Warren isn’t some massive upgrade from an athleticism standpoint, but he can’t be worse than a lateral move.

Harris has four 1,000-yard rushing seasons in a row. The only things stopping Warren from pushing for that should be health or volume.