The Steelers are just 1-1 two weeks into the 2025 NFL season, but coming off a frustrating loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the team feels a whole lot worse than its current standing.
Even the most black-and-gold-glasses-wearing optimist would tell you that the product the Steelers put on the field on Sunday was not a winning formula.
So what’s next?
What changes could the Steelers realistically make?
The “realistically” part is key. I don’t care how good your argument is for the Steelers firing Mike Tomlin. It’s not going to happen this year, especially
midseason.
Rather, what’s something the team could actually adjust ahead of Week 3’s matchup against the New England Patriots?
I’ll start off by taking a rather obvious answer: Pittsburgh needs to be giving Jaylen Warren more snaps. There’s an argument to be made that he’s been the team’s best skill position player through two weeks, and against the Seahawks he put together 134 yards from scrimmage punctuated with one of the best highlights of the weekend.
I’ll clarify I’m not necessarily advocating for the Steelers to run the ball more. For one, Warren has been effective in the passing game. And two, when the Steelers do call runs, they need to be going through Warren more often.
Kenneth Gainwell has taken 12 carries this year, and his burst and contact balance have been a clear downgrade from what Warren brings to the table. The two have similar yards per carry numbers so far, but context is key: Warren has 10 first downs this year on 31 touches to Gainwell’s three on 18 touches.
Warren has had more short-yardage carries in 2025 so far, and even against stacked boxes he’s been more effective.
Gainwell, and even the rookie Kaleb Johnson, could turn into valuable contributors on offense this season. But with subpar offensive line play up front, it has been Warren’s hard-nosed style that’s made the most of the circumstances.
Of course, Warren’s playing style and size don’t exactly mesh well with the traditional lead back role, but at this point, the Steelers’ struggling run game needs to focus on putting the ball in the hands of its best player. And Warren isn’t exactly in danger of being run into the ground this early in the season: Per Fantasy Points data (collected pre-Monday Night Football), he’s just the 21st-highest running back in the NFL in terms of touches per game at 15.5.
Would giving Warren more snaps singlehandedly save the Steelers? Absolutely not, but it would be a welcome change.
Still, plenty more adjustments need to be made in Pittsburgh.
What other realistic changes could the Steelers make this week? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments.
