Aaron Rodgers is pushing for change in Pittsburgh Steelers, and head coach Mike Tomlin is responding by giving breakout star Jaylen Warren a bigger role. With a key game against the New England Patriots ahead, this shift could be the spark the Steelers need.

The 26-year-old running back recorded team-high yardage in Week 2, rushing 14 times for 48 yards and catching four passes for 86 yards, including a 65-yard catch-and-run from quarterback Rodgers. His performance drew praise from the QB and caught the attention of the head coach and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

NFL reporter Nick Farabaugh noted Smith’s response, posting: “Arthur Smith won’t rule out Jaylen Warren having a higher snap share. Currently, he’s only sitting at a 52% snap share.” Farabaugh added that Smith doesn’t want to overuse Warren but is open to increasing his touches if the momentum continues.

In Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, while the Steelers struggled overall, their young running back stood out. Quarterback Rodgers praised him, saying, “Jaylen is a significant player. That was an awesome catch and run. He brings a lot to the table. We might have to keep giving him more opportunities in the pass game, because every time he touches it, something good happens.”

The Steelers showed strong faith in Warren after last season, extending his contract for two years at the end of 2024. With his recent form, Tomlin and Smith have hinted at increased opportunities ahead, signaling new challenges and growth for the running back.

The team’s 2025 season has been a mix of highs and lows, starting with a Week 1 win over the New York Jets, followed by a 31-17 home loss to the Seahawks. With the defense giving up over 30 points in back-to-back games, they now face a pivotal Week 3 clash against the New England Patriots, searching for a much-needed turnaround.

Aaron Rodgers wants to avenge his team’s loss by winning against the Patriots

Aaron Rodgers owned up to his role in the offense’s struggles during the Week 2 loss. Despite solid protection and no penalties from the offensive line, he was sacked three times for a loss of 20 yards and threw two interceptions, one caused by a poor route from Calvin Austin, and the other from forcing a pass into tight coverage.

After the game, the QB expressed that the loss could be a positive wake-up call, suggesting the team might have become overconfident after their season-opening victory.

“I don’t like getting too binary, but winning, that’s a good response. But we can’t get attached to the binary system that our league is judged on necessarily, because it is a 17-game season, and the process has to be great. So, just dig into the details of the process, enjoy it, practice well, and then let game day take care of itself,” Rodgers said.

If one has to brutally state the fact, then the Steelers are facing scrutiny on both sides of the ball, with defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and head coach Mike Tomlin under fire for the team’s struggles.

The Steelers’ inability to establish a run game has become a major concern, exposed in back-to-back outings. Though they won in Week 1, their rushing attack ranks near the bottom of the league, and opponents are exploiting the weakness, a rare trend under head coach Mike Tomlin.

With pressure building and the run game struggling, the Steelers now face another setback: injuries. Several key players were hurt in Week 2, giving younger players a chance to step up.