Former Steelers LB Calls For More 2-RB Sets in Pittsburgh

The never ending Najee Harris-Jaylen Warren debate centers around who should get more carries and be the lead running back in Pittsburgh. But a former Steelers linebacker thinks the team should utilize both backs on the field at the same time.

In an appearance on The Arthur Moats Experience With Deke, Terence Garvin said the Steelers should implement the two-back package even more after the bye to help bolster the struggling offense.

“I’d keep building that two-back package that they started working on. They brought 30 [Warren] in motion, they started working the ghost off of it. I’d build that a little bit,” Garvin said.

The play that Garvin referenced was a jet sweep handoff by Warren that went for 10 yards and a first down in last Sunday’s win over the Baltimore Ravens. It was the second of three consecutive plays that Warren picked up a first down. The 10-yard run came in the middle of a 23-yard catch-and-run and a 16-yard run up the middle by Warren. The drive ended in a field goal, but Warren provided a spark and gave some life to the offense that scored just 3 points through three quarters.

Just your casual hurdle, spin, stiff arm combo…

Jaylen Warren… Wow. This dude. pic.twitter.com/treYi7btKT

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) October 9, 2023

Warren rushed for 40 yards on nine carries (4.4 average) against Baltimore. He also had three receptions for 39 yards (13.0 average). That’s 12 touches for 79 yards (6.58 average). Harris struggled with 37 yards rushing on 14 carries (2.6 average) and just one catch for 3 yards.

Harris has six 15+ yard runs this year, so he hasn’t been awful. The bigger issue has been the offensive line’s poor play and schematic inefficiencies. Warren’s style of running does provide some more juice, however. He’s also lethal after the catch. Warren has 13 forced missed tackles on receptions this season, which is first in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

“Jaylen Warren came in and gave that a spark when he came in. He made a couple of big plays on third down and had a couple of big runs. He gives them a little bit of that splash, a little bit of that suddenness that you want to see on that offense because you feel like they’re just plodding around,” former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher said on The Dan Patrick Show.

Harris played 37 snaps (56%) against the Ravens, while Warren played 32 snaps (48%). So their playing time was about even. Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports thinks Warren deserves at least 10 touches a game. As Garvin suggested, having Warren on the field at the same time as Harris could provide more opportunities. Or they can just split their snap share like they basically did against Baltimore. 

“More Jaylen Warren please: The Steelers invested a first-round pick in Najee Harris, but Warren is the better running back. The offensive line is bad, yet Warren seems to find a way to turn garbage into gold,” Kerr wrote. “Warren had nine carries for 40 yards (4.4 yards per carry) for a team that averaged 2.9 yards per carry Sunday. Harris is better at yards after contact per rush (3.24 to 2.53), but Warren is better at yards before contact per rush (1.12 to 0.68). When teams put eight in the box, Warren averages 5.0 yards per carry to Harris’ 1.8. This isn’t a call for Warren to be the featured back, but he deserves at least 10 touches a game.”