The Pittsburgh Steelers have the option to tender running back Jaylen Warren because he is a restricted free agent. That will occur because Najee Harris is probably going to go, and the Steelers want to keep at least one of their two running backs from the previous campaign.
But will Warren receive the second-round tender’s original round? At first, it appeared that the second-round tender, which is worth more than $5 million for the following year, would be wise. The Steelers might, however, try to pay Warren two million less for the original round tender. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac thinks this will occur.
The Steelers will probably make Warren a right-of-first-refusal offer in 2025 for just $3.18 million because he is a restricted free agent, according to Dulac. It seems improbable that a team would come in and sign Warren after a season marred by injuries, but if they did, they could bid on the Steelers’ behalf, perhaps securing Warren a long-term contract. Teams can still negotiate with players under restricted free agency, but the team that tendered the player has the first choice to match the offer sheet; if they don’t, they risk receiving a draft selection in exchange for the tender. This is the route Warren and the Steelers will take, although there is virtually no scenario where he is not back in 2025
Warren dealt with multiple injuries last season. He strained his hamstring in the preseason but recovered in time to play in Week 1. Yet, he was clearly not healthy. Against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3, Warren suffered a PCL sprain that would keep him out for two weeks.
However, he finally got healthy down the stretch, outsnapping Najee Harris in five of the last six games. During that time, he averaged 4.7 yards per carry, returning to his old self.