‘I Can Do It’: Jaylen Warren Confident He Can Handle Full-Time Role

PITTSBURGH — Jaylen Warren continues his strong offseason after a 62-yard touchdown run against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday evening. But the success that Warren continues to have is raising some questions. Could the Steelers really have a running back controversy between Warren and Najee Harris? Those flames were stoked a little bit when Warren was asked if he could potentially tote the rock at the volume a true lead running could be asked to under some circumstances.

Jaylen Warren has not done that since college, not having more than 12 total rushes in a game before at the level. So, when he was asked if he could handle 25 touches in a game, it took Warren back a bit, but he is confident that if the team ever asked him to do that, he could rise to the occasion.

“Can I carry it 25 times in a game? I mean, I’ve never done that in an NFL game,” Warren said. “But I’ve done that in college. I don’t know, I can’t say for sure because I haven’t done it here. But I have confidence that I can do that.”

Harris only received two rushes on Saturday while Warren simply stocked up with his one touchdown. That is strategic from Mike Tomlin’s standpoint. After the game, Harris noted that he wanted to play more, but that it was simply part of the plan they were following.

“We came in with a plan,” Harris said. “I talked to Coach T at the start of camp. I am following Coach T. Whatever he says, goes…of course, I want to play more. I want to get my feet wet too. But there’s always a plan, but also, these young guys we have got experience and these reps. Like, a guy like Ant, this is the best he’s looked since he’s been here for four years.”

For now, there is unlikely to be a running back controversy if anyone is cooking that up. Warren is the second back that spells Harris so his wheels do not fall off. Now, Warren is great at that job and could be asked to have a significant role if Harris ever got injured. But for now, don’t expect Warren to clamp onto that role.