The Pittsburgh Steelers’ complete offensive id was purported to be centered on the two-headed monster within the backfield of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Sadly, Warren handled a number of accidents early within the season that slowed him down. He has simply began to succeed in his stride over the ultimate few weeks of the season.
He posted one other strong outing towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs with 71 dashing yards on 11 carries and one other 41 yards on 5 receptions. It was his first time over 100 whole yards this season after practically reaching that mark final week towards the Ravens.
Russell Wilson maintained his typical positivity and praised all of his teammates after the sport, however gave slightly additional when requested about Warren.
“Yeah, I imply, Jaylen’s been nice for us. Clearly he was form of injured, dinged up early within the season. He’s been nice for us, making some big-time runs, catches and all that,” Wilson stated by way of the Steelers’ YouTube after the sport. “He did a very good job within the flat, the throw I threw to him on the market. And he does some actually particular issues. He’s bodily, he’s robust to sort out.
“We’re enthusiastic about Jaylen, he’s gonna be a giant a part of us turning this round.”
Right here is the play that Wilson was referring to. Warren confirmed nice acceleration after he caught the ball and completed the run with some additional yards after contact after decreasing his shoulder into the defender.
Wilson’s feedback weren’t a slight at Harris. He made certain to comply with it up by additionally praising Harris, however he’s been a relentless presence all season. Warren has actually simply began to ramp up over the previous few weeks.
Mike Tomlin talked about the necessity to study what they’re doing and make any essential adjustments to reverse the late-season skid earlier than the playoffs start in a pair weeks. Plainly a change is already underway at working again.
Their share of touches had been extra even towards the Chiefs with 16 for Warren and 15 for Harris, however Harris had 5 touches on the ultimate drive in rubbish time. Warren had a a lot bigger share of the significant touches earlier within the recreation.
That was a continuation from the week prior with 17 whole touches for Warren in comparison with simply 9 for Harris. They’ve lastly pulled even of their workload throughout the offense, and Warren appears to be on his strategy to comfortably passing him as the highest possibility.
The Steelers declined Harris’ fifth-year possibility in Could, making 2024 the final season beneath his present contract. The truth that Warren might be retained past the 2024 season with a less expensive RFA tender was doubtless a part of that call, and we’re beginning to see why. Warren has seemed just like the extra dynamic again with the ball in his fingers.
Wilson was sacked 5 occasions, and the passing recreation has actually struggled to get going recently. In the event that they discover success within the playoffs, it’ll should be with the legs of Warren and Harris. The way in which issues are trying now, Warren could have to steer that effort.