Steelers May Have To Make Tough Decision On Key Playmaker

Heading into training camp in 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a few questions to answer. There will be competition for starting spots, but the front office also has some work remaining.

Several players are in line for contract extensions . One of them is running back Jaylen Warren, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract.

Warren has burst onto the scene after being an undrafted free agent in 2022 out of Oklahoma State. In two seasons with the Steelers, he has seen his role grow, as he is now in a nearly 50/50 split with Najee Harris.

With career earnings under $1 million to this point, Warren is in line for a massive raise at some point. Whether that comes in the form of a contract extension from the Steelers or an offer as a free agent in 2025 from another franchise is anyone’s guess at this point.

Over at Bleacher Report, Joe Tansey has listed Warren as one of Pittsburgh’s top contract extension priorities heading into training camp. Alas, just handing him a new contract is easier said than done.

“The Steelers have a big decision awaiting them because they probably will have to choose between Warren and Najee Harris.

There’s no way any team would want multiple running backs on the roster making multiple millions of dollars per season.

Whichever running back has the better 2024 on the field will probably stick around for the future.

However, if their performances are equal, Warren could leave for a big deal somewhere else to be the clear-cut No. 1 running back,” Tansey wrote .

A first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Steeles opted to decline the fifth-year option on Harris’s contract. As Tansey noted, the 2024 season will be a big one for Pittsburgh, as it could determine who their lead back of the future will be.

Based on workload and production, it would seem that Warren has a leg up in the race. He has been the most explosive option out of the backfield and already usurped all of the passing-down work.

Warren could also come at a cheaper price than Harris. The Steelers have more other needs across their roster and won’t be committing millions of dollars to two running backs.

This competition will be one to keep an eye on throughout the season. If a deal gets done during training camp, it will provide some insight into what the Steelers are planning for the future in their backfield.

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