Jaylen Warren’s bold offseason overhaul could make him the Pittsburgh Steelers’ surprise RB1 in 2025

In the ever-physical world of the NFL, survival is a strategy. And for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren, it’s one he’s embracing with urgency. After a gritty, injury-marred 2024 season where he still emerged as the team’s most dependable backfield option, Warren is rewriting his offseason playbook.

Gone are the days of relentless hill sprints and traditional grind sessions. Instead, he’s focused on a new philosophy: build a body built to last. With rookie Kaleb Johnson now in the mix and Najee Harris’ future uncertain, Warren is quietly positioning himself to take on a much larger role in 2025.

After a dramatic offseason transformation, Jaylen Warren is gunning for a bigger role in Pittsburgh—no matter who the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted

When Jaylen Warren spoke to Steelers.com earlier this offseason, his message was clear: this year is different. “I approached this offseason differently,” Warren said.

“I did a lot more things for longevity wise, instead of my old-school training like just getting the cleats on and running 30 hills.”That shift wasn’t just cosmetic. It reflected a broader mindset change for the 25-year-old back, who knows the brutal reality of an NFL workload. “This game is about longevity,” he continued. “And like they say, the best ability is availability.”The calendar has now flipped to summer, and training camp is on the horizon. The when is now. And where it matters most — inside the Steelers’ running back room — Warren’s presence looms large.

Despite battling hamstring and knee injuries in 2024, he still tallied over 800 total yards, earning lead-back snaps by season’s end. His availability down the stretch may have shifted the internal pecking order heading into this season.

Jaylen Warren’s underdog mentality and offseason grind could fuel a Steelers breakout in 2025

Jaylen Warren isn’t blind to the Steelers’ latest investment in the backfield. Kaleb Johnson, a third-round pick, arrives with buzz and fresh legs. But Warren’s edge isn’t built on hype — it’s built on hunger.

“Like they say nowadays, he got it straight out the mud,” running backs coach Eddie Faulkner said of Warren. “Like he had to earn every step of the way he had to when that league’s over. You feel that with KJ. You feel that with Kenny G. I mean, I think that’s the quality of the room that’s exciting.”Jaylen Warren’s mindset hasn’t changed, even if his role might — a former undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State who thrives in pass protection and plays like he’s still fighting for a roster spot.

But where he’s heading looks different: toward a featured role, not just a complementary one.Jaylen Warren may not have the pedigree, but he has something harder to teach — resolve. And in Pittsburgh’s bruising offensive system, that matters. With a revamped training regimen, renewed focus on longevity, and the trust of his coaches, Warren enters 2025 not just ready to contribute — but to lead.Also Read: “Noah could never”: Tyreek Hill calls out Olympic Champion in bold sprint challenge