Steelers Tender Jaylen Warren: What Impact On Najee Harris? Has RB Market Heated Up?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the most dominant teams in the NFL over the past decade, with six playoff appearances since 2015. One of the key factors that has contributed to their success is their running back corps, which has consistently provided a powerful and explosive running game. However, with the recent tendering of Jaylen Warren, the Steelers have now tendered their first-round pick for the 2023 season, which raises questions about the future of Najee Harris and the overall running back market.

The Steelers have a rich history of drafting talented running backs, with Hall of Famers Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis being two of the most notable examples. In recent years, the team has made a concerted effort to rebuild their running back corps, which had become a liability in 2022. The tendering of Jaylen Warren is a significant development in this regard, as it suggests that the Steelers are committed to building a strong running game around their young playmakers.

On the surface, the tendering of Jaylen Warren appears to be a straightforward decision, but it has significant implications for Najee Harris and the overall running back market. Harris, who has been a starter for the Steelers since 2021, has struggled to find consistency and chemistry with quarterback Kenny Pickett. Despite being a first-round pick in 2021, Harris has yet to live up to expectations, and his performance has been hampered by a lack of targets and opportunities.

The tendering of Jaylen Warren, who was a fourth-round pick in 2022, suggests that the Steelers are looking to build a more explosive and dynamic running game. Warren has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited playing time, and his speed and elusiveness make him an attractive option for the Steelers. However, the tendering of Warren also raises questions about the future of Harris, who may no longer be the focal point of the Steelers' running game.

Impact on Najee Harris

The tendering of Jaylen Warren has significant implications for Najee Harris, who may now find himself on the outside looking in. Harris has struggled to establish himself as a primary back for the Steelers, and his limited playing time has made it difficult for him to develop chemistry with Pickett. The tendering of Warren suggests that the Steelers are looking to build a more balanced and explosive running game, which may leave Harris on the bench.

However, it's worth noting that the Steelers have not officially released Harris, and it's possible that he may still be a key contributor to the team. Harris has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited playing time, and his experience and work ethic make him a valuable asset to the Steelers. Nevertheless, the tendering of Warren suggests that the Steelers are looking to build a more dynamic running game, and Harris may find himself in a challenging role.

Running Back Market Heating Up

The tendering of Jaylen Warren by the Steelers is just the latest development in a running back market that has heated up in recent years. The class of 2023 has been highly touted, with several talented running backs entering the draft, including Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, and Jordan Johnson.

The Steelers are not the only team looking to upgrade their running back corps, with several other teams also tendering their top running backs. The Denver Broncos, for example, tendered their first-round pick for the 2023 season, which raises questions about the future of Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams. The Los Angeles Chargers, meanwhile, tendered their third-round pick for the 2023 season, which may impact the role of Joshua Kelley in the team's backfield.

What's Next for Najee Harris

So what's next for Najee Harris, who may now find himself on the outside looking in? Harris has been a starter for the Steelers since 2021, but his performance has been inconsistent, and he has struggled to establish himself as a primary back. The tendering of Jaylen Warren suggests that the Steelers are looking to build a more balanced and explosive running game, which may leave Harris on the bench.

However, Harris has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited playing time, and his experience and work ethic make him a valuable asset to the Steelers. If Harris can prove himself as a reliable and explosive back, he may still have a role to play for the Steelers in 2023. Nevertheless, the tendering of Warren suggests that the Steelers are looking to build a more dynamic running game, and Harris may find himself in a challenging role.

Key Takeaways

• The Steelers tendered Jaylen Warren, which raises questions about the future of Najee Harris.
• The tendering of Warren suggests that the Steelers are looking to build a more explosive and dynamic running game.
• The running back market has heated up in recent years, with several talented running backs entering the draft.
• The tendering of Warren and other top running backs raises questions about the future of Harris and other starting backs.
• Harris has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited playing time, but the tendering of Warren suggests that he may face challenges in 2023.

Player Comparison

• Najee Harris (2021) vs. Jaylen Warren (2022)
  • Harris: 656 yards, 4 TDs
  • Warren: 644 yards, 2 TDs
• Najee Harris (2022) vs. Jaylen Warren (2023)
  • Harris: 445 yards, 2 TDs
  • Warren: 544 yards, 2 TDs

Statistics

• Najee Harris (2021-2022): 1101 yards, 6 TDs
• Jaylen Warren (2022-2023): 1188 yards, 4 TDs

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