If you’ve been following the Pittsburgh Steelers lately, you know the vibe. For years, the conversation around the water cooler was always the same: when is Jaylen Warren actually going to get the keys to the car?
He was the undrafted guy from Oklahoma State who just wouldn't quit. He ran like a bowling ball made of muscle. Honestly, watching him compared to the "traditional" starters felt like watching a sports car weave through a traffic jam while everyone else was stuck in a semi-truck.
Well, the 2025 season happened. And the Jaylen Warren rushing yards totals we saw weren't just a fluke. They were a statement.
The Numbers Don't Lie: Breaking Down 958 Yards
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what actually happened on the turf this past season. Warren finished the 2025 regular season with 958 rushing yards. That’s a career high. It’s also a massive jump from the 511 yards he put up in 2024.
He didn't just get lucky. He earned those yards over 211 carries, averaging a solid 4.5 yards per attempt.
Think about that for a second. In an NFL where defenses are faster than ever, keeping a 4.5 average while being "the guy" everyone is game-planning for is tough. He wasn't just a change-of-pace back anymore. He was the engine.
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Why the 2025 Season Was Different
Early in his career, Warren was the guy who came in to give Najee Harris a breather. He’d rip off a 15-yard gain and everyone would scream, "Give him more touches!"
In 2025, they finally did.
He had some absolute monster games that carried fantasy teams and the Steelers' offense alike. Remember Week 16 against Detroit? Warren went off for 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He was hitting holes so fast the linebackers looked like they were stuck in quicksand.
But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. There was a weird stretch in December where things got sluggish. Against Miami in Week 15, he was held to just 33 yards on 12 carries. That’s the reality of being a lead back—some weeks the box is just too crowded.
Jaylen Warren Rushing Yards: Better Than the "Big Name" Backs?
There is a segment of the Steelers fanbase that will always defend the high-draft-pick strategy. But if you look at the advanced metrics, Warren has been outperforming expectations for a while now.
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According to PFF, Warren forced a missed tackle on nearly 30% of his rushes in 2025. That ranked him 4th in the entire NFL for backs with at least 100 carries.
- Explosive Runs: He had 23 runs of 10+ yards.
- Yards After Contact: He averaged 3.09 yards after a defender first touched him.
- Reliability: Only one fumble lost in the regular season.
Comparing him to others is sort of inevitable. While guys like Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey are in a different stratosphere for total scrimmage yards, Warren has settled into that elite "Tier 2" of running backs. He’s the guy who might not have the 90-yard breakaway speed every play, but he will punish a defense for 60 minutes.
The Arthur Smith Effect
We have to talk about the coaching. Arthur Smith’s system loves a physical run game. With the addition of veterans like Kenneth Gainwell to help with the load, Warren was able to stay fresher than he would have in a true "workhorse" role.
The Steelers' offense as a whole finished 7th in Rushing DVOA. That doesn't happen without a guy like Warren who can turn a 2-yard loss into a 4-yard gain just by lowering his shoulder.
The Contract and the Future: What's Next for #30?
Pittsburgh didn't wait around to see if 2025 was a one-hit wonder. They signed Warren to a two-year contract extension that keeps him in the Black and Gold through 2027.
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The deal is worth roughly $17.5 million over three years, with $12 million guaranteed. For an undrafted free agent who started out making league minimum, that’s a hell of a story. It also tells us exactly what the front office thinks about his future. They see him as the definitive RB1 for the foreseeable future.
Going into 2026, the expectations are even higher. People are already asking: can he hit the 1,000-yard mark?
He was only 42 yards away this past year. If he hadn't missed one game due to that late-season illness, he almost certainly would have crossed the threshold.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you’re trying to figure out how to value Warren’s production moving forward, keep these factors in mind:
- Watch the Offensive Line: The Steelers have been investing heavily in the trenches. If the line stays healthy, Warren's "yards before contact" should increase, making that 1,000-yard goal an easy target.
- Usage Patterns: Warren is still a heavy factor in the passing game (333 receiving yards in 2025). This keeps him on the field for 3rd downs, which is where he often picks up those "hidden" rushing yards on draws and delayed handoffs.
- Health and Age: At 27, he is entering the peak-to-late-peak years for a running back. His physical style of play is great for highlights, but it takes a toll. Keep an eye on his "DNP" status during practice weeks.
The era of Jaylen Warren being a "secret" is officially over. He’s a top-20 back in this league, and the rushing yards are starting to reflect the talent we all saw in flashes two years ago. Expect the Steelers to keep leaning on him as they navigate a tough AFC North.
For 2026, the blueprint is clear: feed Warren, control the clock, and let the defense do the rest. He’s proven he can handle the volume; now it’s just about staying consistent.