Steelers RB Jaylen Warren puts end to RB controversy

There has been a controversy brewing in Pittsburgh for who will be RB1 since the Steelers' second preseason game but running back Jaylen Warren just put an end to it.

"No, it's not at all a competition. I'm here to complement Najee [Harris]; that's the workhorse," Warren said. "That narrative people have talked to me about it. It's not like that at all. I don't go in there daily thinking about it like, 'Oh, I'm going to take his job.'"

It all began when Warren scored a 62-yard touchdown against the Bills in Week 2 of the preseason. Although impressive, no one in Pittsburgh ever considered it a competition, including second year QB Kenny Pickett.

"Some guys just have a knack for making plays and Jaylen's one of them," Pickett told reporters after the game. "It's kind of like thunder and lightning with him and Najee. I think those two have a really good balance off each other. They both do great things. They both do things differently and it's great to have that combination in the backfield."

Warren, an undrafted free agent in 2022, had 593 yards and a touchdown as a rookie, and is certainly looking to take another step in 2023.

However, Harris, the Steelers' 2021 first-round pick will lead the way until he gives reason to do otherwise. The 25-year-old is surely hoping to have his third straight 1,000 rushing yard season to start his career, which would make him the first player to do so since Alfred Morris from 2012-14.

Both Warren and Harris will have important roles this season in Pittsburgh's offensive game plan. But there is no controversy, so for now, just call them "thunder and lightning."