The Pittsburgh Steelers will stop at nothing to get their run game back on track. They’re looking to build off the breakout performance their fourth-year running back Jaylen Warren had last season. Warren continued to prove his worth this past Sunday with a breakout performance versus the Seattle Seahawks. He caught a short pass from Aaron Rodgers and turned it into a dazzling 65-yard touchdown. This moment highlighted his ability to transform short plays into significant yardage, raising expectations for his role in the team’s offensive scheme.
On the year, Warren has played 59 snaps, with 31 touches, LOL. He’s got a narrow lead over teammate Kenneth Gainwell, underscoring just how quickly he’s moved up the pecking order in the offensive depth chart. Warren’s 49 yards after first contact illustrate just how tough and speedy the young RB can be, creating one of the most unique assets in the NFL. His ability to push through defenders while maintaining acceleration positions him as a versatile player who could be a No. 1 back on any NFL team.
Though he does seem to have plenty of long run potential, the Steelers’ run game overall has been absolutely woeful, ranking with just one explosive rush play all season. Although the team is proud of what they accomplished, they acknowledge significant room for improvement. They’re considering giving Warren more work to enhance their rushing attack. Coach Art Smith highlighted the need to keep balance as a key focus point of their offensive approach. That’s what you want to be — balanced — and at times it’s the week-to-week matchup. Regardless of your public participation philosophy, staying one-dimensional will make your job a whole lot harder. That’s particularly true in the NFL, where the premium on versatility is at an all-time high.
Warren’s breakout performance against Seattle was a joyful high point, but it highlighted the larger issues plaguing the Steelers. While he did record a solid 13-yard gain on a single handoff, this was hardly representative of his finest performance. The team aims to improve their ability to achieve 10-plus-yard runs, an area where they have faced difficulties thus far.
The Steelers don’t view Warren as simply a backup. As for Bell, they believe he’s got a chance to be a focal point for the offense. His daily commitment and positive attitude contribute to the team’s development, with Rodgers noting, “The biggest compliment I can give him is when you’re behind a four straight 1,000-yard rusher, you’re seen as a changeup back, and he’s a guy who could be a No. 1 back on any team in the league.”
Over the course of the season, that’s what Warren and the Steelers will be looking to improve on. His general execution. During talkback, Coach Rodgers reinforced the need for more open opportunities in offensive line play. He specifically called out that offensive line coach Pat Meyer and head coach Mike Tomlin are on board with this concept. That’s the first thing that Pat [offensive line coach] Meyer wanted to see us do. That’s exactly what Mike T [general manager Kevin Colbert] / coach Tomlin — that’s what they want to see. That’s what Art [Smith] wants to see,” Rodgers said. Our backs are slippery enough, we have to get them onto the second level clean. Just keep hitting our aiming points.
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