The Pittsburgh Steelers did something they haven't done in 19 years after the team signed Jaylen Warren to a contract extension on Monday.
Warren's agency revealed that the Steelers running back has agreed to a two-year deal that keeps him under contract through 2027. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the deal pays Warren over $7 million in 2025 and has $12 million guaranteed.
According to Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot, this is the first time the Steelers have signed one of their running backs to a contract extension since Willie Parker was inked to a four-year deal in 2006.
"Jaylen Warren is the first Steelers running back to receive a contract extension since Willie Parker signed a four-year deal in August, 2006," Kozora noted.
A fun side note: Warren is also Parker's cousin.
Warren played the role as Najee Harris' sidekick over the past three seasons and has been a valuable piece in the offense in that span.
Now, he's in line to take the reins of Pittsburgh's backfield following Harris' departure in free agency, but chances are he isn't going to be a workhorse.
Along with re-signing Warren, the Steelers inked Kenneth Gainwell in free agency and drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft, and at least one of them is going to share snaps with Warren.
Ideally, Johnson steps in as the grinder like Harris was and Warren can continue to play the complementary role he has thrived in.
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