Steelers might have a legitimate battle at the RB position
I know this one is going to be met with some controversy, but the Pittsburgh Steelers may have a legitimate battle brewing at the running back position. Since being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Najee Harris has been gift-wrapped the RB1 duties in Pittsburgh. This year, he's expected to be the lead back once again. However, Jaylen Warren is making a heck of a case for himself lately.
Warren exploded into the scene as a former undrafted free agent last year, and he has done nothing but impress ever since. After looking like the best running back on the team all through training camp this year, the second-year back just exploded for a 62-yard touchdown run against Buffalo's starting defense in the opening possession of the game. This was more than doubled the length of the longest run of Najee's NFL career (on 579 carries, no less).
Though two preseason games, Jaylen Warren has 4 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Harris has been very limited in the preseason but has just 6 yards on 2 carries with 1 reception for -1 yard, per ESPN stats.
Warren is showing that he just has a terrific blend of burst, speed, vision, and contact balance. His performance against the Bills was brief, but it's all that we could have asked for. If this keeps up, there could be a running back debate brewing in Pittsburgh soon.