Latest news with #JaylenWarren
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson to train with Le'Veon Bell
Oh, what could have been. In the pantheon of great Pittsburgh Steelers running backs, Le'Veon Bell had the chance to be the GOAT. He really did. His rushing style was unique but his production was undeniable. However, Bell let a contract get in the way of greatness and cut a truly elite career short. In recent years, Bell has mended fences with the team and the fans and you can see he still wants to be connected to the organization. One way he's going to do it is by working with rookie running back Kaleb Johnson. Johnson spoke to NFL reporter Kay Adams talked to Johnson and he said that he's going to work out with Bell to improve some areas of his game. The main area Johnson wants to improve is pass protection. This is something Johnson wasn't asked to do a ton at Iowa and despite behing more of a receiver than blocker was something Bell became very good at. Johnson also praised Bell for his "kinda weird" running style and appreciated his patience and how he runs at his own pace. Johnson joins the Steelers as a former third-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft and will battle it out with veteran Jaylen Warren for the starting job during training camp. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: New Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson to train with Le'Veon Bell
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers Fans Worry On Jaylen Warren Awkward Status
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is one of only two restricted free agents across the NFL who has not signed their tender as of yet. The only other RFA not to sign his tender is Atlanta Falcons center Ryan Neuzil. Advertisement Warren is still under team control for one more season, but has no contract. The undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State signed a three-year contract with the team in 2022. His contract expired, but he does not have the four-year minimum to be an unrestricted free agent. Therefore, he remains under the Steelers' exclusive control. Pittsburgh will have to pay Warren $5.346 million this season as he was tagged with a second-round tender. With Najee Harris departing via free agency, it was presumed Warren would be the leader to take over the starting role, but he cannot do that without a contract. Advertisement So Steelers fans have a reason for now to worry about this awkward situation. It is almost certain the Steelers will address the position at some point this weekend in the NFL Draft. Warren could be fishing for a longer-term deal with Pittsburgh and might be refusing to sign his tender as leverage. Without a contract, he cannot attend any team events, like mini-camp or other organized team activities. Warren, who signed a minimum deal out of college, will receive a substantial raise this season, either way. Even if he signs his tender, the can still negotiate with the Steelers for a longer term contract. Advertisement It should be noted the Steelers have not offered a multi-year second contract to a running back since Willie Parker in 2006. Warren rushed 346 times in three seasons for 1,674 yards and six touchdowns. Related: 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Browns, Steelers Start Over at QB, Shedeur Sanders Falls Out of 1st Round Related: Steelers Add Defensive Secondary Help in NFL Mock Draft
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
5 position battles to watch at Steelers training camp
With just a few days until the Steelers report to training camp on July 23, fans have several positional battles across offense, defense, and special teams to look forward to. Here are the five biggest starting roles up for grabs in Latrobe this summer. Long snapper Although not the flashiest position in the NFL, Steelers starting LS Christian Kuntz will attempt to fend off journeyman LS Tucker Addington — who signed with Pittsburgh in June. Free safety While all signs point to FS Juan Thornhill as the go-to replacement for ex-Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, an undrafted rookie could push the two-time Super Bowl champion for the starting role — none other than standout Iowa Hawkeye DB Sebastian Castro. Fullback Hybrid player Connor Heyward may have hinted at a full-time switch to fullback this offseason — but he first needs to beat out undrafted rookie FB DJ Thomas-Jones, a sleeper to make the 53-man roster. Punter After Steelers starting punter Cameron Johnston suffered a season-ending knee injury last season, Corliss Waitman stepped up in a big way for Pittsburgh. Only one punter will remain in the Steel City — but whether it's the now-healthy Johnston or the talented Waitman who takes the role remains to be seen. Running back Jaylen Warren's time to shine as the Steelers' lead rusher could be in jeopardy — as Pittsburgh drafted one of 2024's best college running backs in Kaleb Johnson. Training camp will serve as the first of many battles to decide whether or not Warren can fend off the rookie third-rounder — and a strong outing in Latrobe could decide the fate of the starting running back position. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers training camp: 5 starting spots up for grabs in Latrobe
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers $5 million running back shockingly named breakout candidate for 2025 NFL season
The Pittsburgh Steelers' running back room looks a bit different this season after the departure of Najee Harris and the additions of Kaleb Johnson in the draft and Kenneth Gainwell in free agency. The one member of the group returning from 2024 is Jaylen Warren, who is expected to have a breakout 2025 campaign, according to Bleacher Report's Moe Moton. Advertisement "Unless Johnson looks incredible in training camp and the preseason, Warren figures to get the first crack at being the Steelers' lead ball-carrier. He has never recorded more than 15 carries in a game, but that could change this year," Moton wrote. Though Warren has the path to be the No.1 running back in the Steelers' offense, it's hard to see him having a breakout season. The Steelers used a third-round pick in April's draft on Johnson for a reason, as the Iowa product figures to be the running back of the future and could receive the bulk of the carries for a majority of his rookie campaign. Warren has a ton of promise in the receiving game and should be a nice change of pace back in Arthur Smith's unit. However, Johnson is primed to be the starter, which would make it tough for Warren to post prolific numbers in his fourth season. Advertisement MORE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEWS T.J. Watt receives historic $121 million contract projection amid standoff with Steelers Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers' decline perfectly illustrated in ESPN's annual rankings Steelers predicted to trade for 49ers WR after near-deal for Brandon Aiyuk What could Steelers get in T.J. Watt trade? It might not be as much as you think
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers praised for adding Super Bowl champion to replace Najee Harris
The Pittsburgh Steelers have running back action to fill this season after Najee Harris left for the Los Angeles Chargers. They know they can count on returner Jaylen Warren. And they hope they can count on rookie Kaleb Johnson from Iowa. Advertisement But they also added another RB this offseason: Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell was the Eagles' backup back en route to a Super Bowl championship. SI's Jacob Punturi loves the move. Here's what he had to say: "He didn't sign a one-year contract in Pittsburgh to be the featured back. He's well aware of his role on the Steelers in 2025, and he's well suited to fill it. He can spell Warren or Johnson for a series or a game if needed, and he gives the Steelers' offense confidence that things will continue to run smoothly." MORE: How good was LeBron at football? NBA legend would have been 'one of the best' in NFL Advertisement Gainwell did have 123 all-purpose yards against the Steelers in Week 15, which probably didn't hurt when Pittsburgh was deciding if he was good enough to add. And the championship experience has to be a plus. Gainwell also has a fantastic name for a running back, so the Steelers really couldn't go wrong here. MORE NFL NEWS:
