The Pittsburgh Steelers have a rich history of running backs who have dominated the NFL, and for many years, one name has stood out above the rest: Le’Veon Bell. Bell, who spent six years with the Steelers from 2013 to 2017, was one of the most dynamic and versatile running backs in the league. His unique combination of patience, vision, and ability to contribute both as a rusher and a receiver made him a perfect fit in Pittsburgh’s offensive scheme. After Bell’s departure in 2018, the Steelers have struggled to find a back who could replicate his success. But this offseason, there’s a growing sense that they may have finally found their next Le’Veon Bell in an unexpected place.
### The End of the Bell Era
Bell’s departure was a major blow to the Steelers. After sitting out the 2018 season due to a contract dispute, Bell left Pittsburgh in free agency and signed with the New York Jets. Despite some solid seasons with the Jets and a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, Bell has never truly reached the same level of play he had in Pittsburgh. For the Steelers, finding a running back who could capture the magic of Bell’s era has been an uphill battle.
In the years following Bell’s departure, the Steelers turned to James Conner, who had a breakout season in 2018 but struggled with injuries and inconsistencies after that. The team also experimented with a variety of backs including Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, and Najee Harris, but none have truly captured the essence of Bell’s impact as both a rusher and a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Entering the 2023 season, there were questions about whether the Steelers could ever find another all-around back like Bell, but that’s where their latest draft pick has sparked optimism.
### The Arrival of Jaylen Warren
In 2023, the Steelers made a significant move to bolster their running back room by selecting **Jaylen Warren** in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. While not receiving the same level of attention or hype as some of the other running backs in the draft class, Warren’s potential has quickly caught the eye of both coaches and fans.
Warren’s journey to the NFL is a testament to his determination and work ethic. A product of **Oklahoma State University**, Warren flew somewhat under the radar in college football but still managed to compile impressive stats. In his final college season, Warren rushed for over 1,000 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry, while also demonstrating his pass-catching ability with 25 receptions for 288 yards. His vision, elusiveness, and ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces have drawn favorable comparisons to Bell, particularly his patience and ability to let plays develop.
Warren’s skill set, combined with the Steelers’ offensive scheme, is what has many analysts and fans excited about his potential to become the team’s next star running back. Although he’s not quite the same player as Bell in terms of sheer size and power, his blend of vision, patience, and versatility in the passing game has many believing he could fill a similar role.
### Warren’s Playing Style: Shades of Bell
One of the most remarkable things about Le’Veon Bell was his ability to play with a distinct rhythm. Bell would often slow down behind his offensive line, allowing plays to develop before making his move. His ability to read blocks and patiently wait for the perfect moment to burst forward made him nearly impossible to stop when he was at his peak. It was a style of play that not many backs could replicate, and for a long time, the Steelers’ offense seemed incomplete without it.
Jaylen Warren, although he doesn’t have the same size or power as Bell, shows flashes of that same patience and vision. In his rookie season, Warren showcased his ability to be a patient runner, waiting for gaps to open before hitting the hole with decisive speed. He’s also capable of making defenders miss in the open field, and like Bell, Warren can break off big plays as both a rusher and a receiver. His ability to catch passes out of the backfield and make defenders miss in space provides a dual-threat dynamic that Pittsburgh’s offense has been lacking since Bell’s departure.
Warren’s ability to catch passes is perhaps the most encouraging sign for the Steelers moving forward. Bell was known for his ability to contribute as both a runner and a receiver, and that versatility made him one of the most dangerous players in the league. In the 2017 season, Bell caught 85 passes for 655 yards. While Warren isn’t likely to match those numbers, his ability to be an effective weapon in the passing game has the potential to make him a key part of the Steelers’ offensive attack.
### The Running Back Room in 2023: Najee Harris vs. Jaylen Warren
While Jaylen Warren’s potential is certainly intriguing, it’s important to recognize that Najee Harris, the Steelers’ first-round pick in 2021, is still the team’s primary starting running back. Harris had a solid rookie season, rushing for over 1,200 yards and catching 74 passes. However, his sophomore season in 2022 was marred by injuries and inconsistencies. He dealt with a foot injury that slowed him down and, as a result, didn’t quite live up to the expectations many had for him.
Harris’ struggles opened the door for Warren to get more playing time, and it didn’t take long for him to impress the coaching staff. Although Warren’s role in the offense is currently defined as a secondary or backup role behind Harris, it’s clear that the Steelers are high on him. With his pass-catching abilities, Warren could find himself more involved in the offense in 2023 and beyond. Some experts believe that the Steelers may choose to employ a two-back system that allows both Harris and Warren to share the load, with Warren handling a larger share of the receiving duties out of the backfield. This could allow Harris to focus more on between-the-tackles running, while Warren provides the team with a more dynamic, versatile option in the passing game.
With a full season of development, Warren has the potential to become a key piece of Pittsburgh’s offense, similar to how Le’Veon Bell played a dual role in both the rushing and receiving attacks. In many ways, Warren’s diverse skill set makes him an ideal complement to Harris, and together, they could form one of the more dynamic backfield tandems in the league.
### What’s Next for Warren?
As the 2023 season progresses, all eyes will be on Jaylen Warren to see if he can continue to build on his strong performances and prove that he can be the next great running back for the Steelers. While he may not be an exact replica of Le’Veon Bell, his skill set and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game suggest that he could become the closest thing the Steelers have had to Bell since his departure.
If Warren continues to develop his patience, vision, and versatility in the passing game, he could quickly emerge as one of the top backs in the league. Steelers fans have been waiting for the next Le’Veon Bell for years, and while Warren’s journey is still in its early stages, there are plenty of reasons to believe that he could be the answer they’ve been searching for.
### Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have just found their next Le’Veon Bell in Jaylen Warren. While the young back still has a long way to go before reaching the same heights as Bell, his early performances show that he has the potential to be a dynamic playmaker in Pittsburgh’s offense. With his combination of patience, vision, and pass-catching ability, Warren is well on his way to carving out a prominent role in the Steelers’ backfield. As the season unfolds, fans will be watching closely to see if Warren can live up to the hype and become the next great running back in Pittsburgh’s storied history.