Steelers sign RB Jaylen Warren to 2-year contract extension

If there was any confusion about Jaylen Warren’s long-term future with the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was erased Monday.

Warren has never started a game in three NFL seasons, but that didn’t stop the Steelers from giving the 26-year-old running back a three-year, $17.25 million contract.

The deal provides a salary increase to about $7 million this season and includes $12 million in guaranteed compensation. He was scheduled to earn $5.346 million this year after signing a second-round tender as a restricted free agent. Free agency loomed in March … until Monday.

“It’s a great feeling knowing the have my back,” Warren said. “I’m going to do everything to have their back.”

After being the complementary piece to Najee Harris the past three seasons, Warren will enter the season as the featured back for the first time in his career. Although he has appeared in 48 games, the start he makes Sunday against the New York Jets in the season opener will be his first.

“It’s extra motivation for me,” Warren said. “Knowing what they think or what they feel I bring to the team, it gives me extra juice to help them.”

Complacency won’t be an issue for Warren, who made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and began his collegiate career in the JUCO ranks at Snow College.

“If anything, it’s going to add more chips (to my shoulder),” Warren said.

When he signed with the Steelers after the 2022 draft, Warren was given a $12,000 bonus. After making the 53-man roster, Warren was used to back up Harris. In 2023, Warren showed enough versatility that he was on the field for almost half of the offensive snaps. He eclipsed 1,000 scrimmage yards that season, rushing for 784 yards and gaining 370 more on 61 receptions. He also set a career high with four rushing touchdowns that season.

“I’m really happy for Jalen,” said outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who signed a $144 million contract in the offseason. “He’s a guy who works hard, and he deserves every penny he’s got. Kudos to him, but don’t mistake it for all the hard work he’s done.”

The start of Warren’s 2024 season was hindered by hamstring and knee injuries. Still, he rushed for 511 yards and caught 38 passes for 310 yards.

His presence in the backfield as a third-down threat allowed the Steelers to let Harris walk in free agency. Warren, ironically, now has more job security than Harris, a four-time 1,000-yard rusher who received just a one-year deal from the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Steelers drafted Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson in the third round, yet Warren enters the season as the starter.

“I wasn’t overly concerned,” Warren said. “I stayed present in my moment and my lane. I was glad we got Kaleb. He’s a baller. The more weapons, the better for the team.”

Warren is the first member of the 2022 rookie class to get a second contract from the Steelers. The top two picks from that draft class — Kenny Pickett and George Pickens — are gone. DeMarvin Leal is on the practice squad, and Calvin Austin III and Connor Heyward are the only picks remaining on the 53-man roster.

“Any guy who gets an extension, I’m super excited for,” Austin said. “I’m not going to lie. When we found out that Jaylen did, I felt like I got extended. … To see somebody from our rookie class get that, and to see the type of person Jaylen is and how he works, he’s so deserving.”

Austin will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in March. He enters the season as the No. 2 wide receiver, making him a candidate for an extension, too.

Austin smiled when asked if he’s next.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Lord willing. I definitely want to be here. We’ll see.”

The Steelers cease contract negotiations once the regular season begins. Defensive tackle Cam Heyward and kicker Chris Boswell conducted hold-ins during training camp while seeking new contracts, but both have resumed practicing with the team. Each player has two years left on his deal.

In 2021, the Steelers signed Watt to an extension three days before the season opener. Last month, Heyward indicated he was willing to sit out games unless he received a reworked deal, but he has not spoken to reporters in recent weeks.

“I told (Heyward), you have to follow your heart and your gut and obviously it’s a decision that is for him and his family,” Watt said. “I want him to get paid. I think he’s deserving to get paid, but it sucks to be in that position, to have to make a decision like that.”