While the Pittsburgh Steelers bringing back Aaron Rodgers seems to mostly rub fans the wrong way, it does provide some positives for the players on the team. The most established quarterback option, it seems unlikely that he will completely collapse. At worst, this team should be in the hunt for a playoff birth.
However, for Jaylen Warren, he may have just hit the jackpot with Rodgers return.
Coming off a career year, Warren put together around 1,250 total yards and found the end zone eight times. He was efficient with the ball in his hands and provided the Steelers with their most effective runner in recent years.
With the running back room updated, though, he finds himself in competition with Rico Dowdle to be the top back. The Steelers have proven to be able to effectively get two backs involved on offense. However, where Dowdle is ineffective could allow Warren to produce a monster season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have their next top receiving back in Warren
Time will tell who will truly be the main back for this team. Even if the rushes favor Dowdle slightly, there is a real chance Warren outproduces him thanks to his ability to catch passes.
While not as natural a receiver as Kenneth Gainwell was, Warren has consistently been a viable receiver and done a lot of damage with the ball in his hands after the catch.
Rodgers isn’t the quarterback he once was, and we saw him favor the quick dump off to Gainwell when the play he wanted didn’t materialize fast enough. This led to Gainwell catching over 70 passes a year ago.
Warren won’t receive all of those targets, though. This team has some new receivers that will garner more attention, but with Dowdle not being a great receiver historically, Warren should become the check-down target.
Even if he becomes a second fiddle as a runner (which should still be good for 600-700 rushing yards), he could produce a career year as a receiver. Had this been one of the younger quarterbacks looking to prove himself, it may not have been the same story.
While Rodgers' return doesn’t feel like a great move long-term, Warren should be thrilled by the news. While his rushing numbers may decrease with Dowdle in the backfield, he can more than make up for it with a career year as a receiver.
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