Jaylen Warren Is Quietly Becoming the Steelers’ Offensive X-Factor - And Just in Time
As the Steelers gear up for a high-stakes AFC North clash with the Ravens in Week 14, it’s not just the playoff picture that’s tightening - it’s Pittsburgh’s margin for error. And while Aaron Rodgers and the passing game naturally grab headlines, it’s Jaylen Warren who might hold the keys to the Steelers’ postseason push.
Warren has been steadily carving out a bigger role in this offense, and right now, he’s doing more than just spelling Najee Harris - he’s becoming the tone-setter. Through 2025, Warren has rushed for 639 yards at a clip of 4.2 yards per carry, and he’s found the end zone in each of the past two weeks, including a gritty score on the road in Chicago and another at home against Buffalo.
That kind of production, at this point in the season, is more than just stat-padding. It’s momentum.
The Physical Back Pittsburgh Needs Right Now
Warren isn’t flashy - he’s functional in the best way possible. At over 215 pounds, he brings the kind of physicality that travels well in December.
He’s the type of back who doesn’t just survive contact, he invites it. That downhill style can wear down a defense over four quarters, and against a Ravens front seven that thrives on disruption and physical dominance, Warren’s ability to punch back could be the difference.
This is exactly the kind of matchup where Pittsburgh needs to control tempo, win early downs, and keep Baltimore’s defense honest. Warren’s running style - low pad level, decisive cuts, and a willingness to finish runs - makes him the perfect weapon to do just that. He’s the guy who can turn a 2nd-and-8 into a manageable 3rd-and-2, or take the air out of a stadium with a chain-moving run on 3rd-and-short.
More Than Just a Runner
While the ground game is his bread and butter, Warren’s also becoming a quietly dependable option in the passing game. Since Week 8, he’s caught multiple passes in four straight games, including two receptions on three targets last week against Buffalo. He’s only got one receiving touchdown this season, but the usage trend is clear - Pittsburgh is expanding his role, and it’s paying off.
That added dimension matters. When Warren is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield, it forces linebackers to think twice before crashing downhill.
It opens up play-action. It gives Rodgers another safety valve when the pocket collapses.
And it adds a layer of unpredictability to an offense that, at times, has struggled to keep defenses guessing.
The Blueprint for a Playoff Push
The formula for winning in December hasn’t changed: run the ball, control the clock, and play tough defense. Warren fits that first part to a tee. If the Steelers can lean on him to extend drives and keep the Ravens’ defense on the field, it not only gives them a shot to win this week - it sets the tone for the rest of the season.
Warren’s role is no longer just complementary. He’s not a change-of-pace back or a placeholder until the next big-name runner comes along.
He’s a foundational piece. And in a game that’s likely to be decided in the trenches, his ability to grind out tough yards and keep the offense on schedule could be the deciding factor.
A Statement Opportunity
Let’s be honest - Warren hasn’t always been viewed as the long-term answer in Pittsburgh’s backfield. But the next few weeks give him a chance to change that narrative. He’s not just playing for carries - he’s playing for a bigger role in this team’s identity.
If he keeps running like this - with vision, power, and purpose - he won’t just be a guy who helped the Steelers down the stretch. He’ll be the reason they got there.
And that starts in Week 14, against a Ravens team that knows exactly what’s on the line. So does Jaylen Warren.