Jaylen Warren Powers Steelers’ Offense While Red‑Zone Use Draws Scrutiny

League-leading efficiency pushed the Steelers to a 6-2 start with coaches under pressure to adjust goal-line usage.

Overview

Warren tied a career high with 143 rushing yards in Pittsburgh’s recent 27-6 win over Cleveland and has been the team’s primary playmaker during its four-game win streak.
He ranks among the NFL leaders in efficiency, averaging 5.9 yards per carry and 11.8 yards per reception, which has turned him from an undrafted role player into the Steelers’ offensive engine.
Warren has only two rushing touchdowns through eight games, a gap that prompted public criticism of coach Mike McCarthy’s red-zone playcalling from former QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Backup Rico Dowdle has returned from a toe injury and contributed meaningful snaps and yards over recent games, easing immediate workload and durability concerns for Warren.
Pittsburgh’s defense, which leads the league in sacks and ranks near the top in points allowed, has masked offensive finishing problems and gives the team time to fix red-zone conversion ahead of the stretch run.