When it was revealed that the Pittsburgh Steelers extended the contract of running back Jaylen Warren, it was no doubt surprising.
That’s not to say that Warren hadn’t earned it, but an extension for the running back wasn’t really on anyone’s radar. And, it apparently wasn’t on Warren’s, either.
At practice on Monday, Warren was asked about his new deal, which will pay out “just under $17.5 million over the next three years,” according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Warren admitted he wasn’t expecting a new deal, which is surprising to hear because you would think he would have at least seen it coming.
“It’s always something you dream about, but I didn’t know it was going to come this soon,” Warren said, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. “I’m grateful it did.”
Warren’s extension definitely bucks the trend when it comes to Steelers backs. He is the first player at his position to receive an extension from Pittsburgh since Willie Parker got one in 2006.
Warren’s career arc has been impressive, to say the least.
After playing his college ball at both Utah State and Oklahoma State, Warren didn’t get drafted in 2022 and was instead scooped up by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent.
Warren has spent the last three seasons as a valuable piece in Pittsburgh’s offense and played the role as the complementary back to Najee Harris in that time. His best season came in 2023, when he broke 1,000 scrimmage yards, including a career-high 784 yards on the ground.
Now that Harris is in Los Angeles, Warren stands to be the Steelers’ lead back, with rookie Kaleb Johnson and veteran Kenneth Gainwell expected to spell him early on.
The hope is that Johnson will seize the Najee role and provide an upgrade over the former first-round pick. Johnson doing so would give the Steelers a strong one-two punch for the next few years now that Warren is under contract through 2027.
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