The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely always going to be a ground and pound football team, which means the running game is going to be important. This is especially true under the offensive leadership of Head Coach Mike McCarthy, who has always focused on establishing his offense through the running game. Offensive line play is going to be of the utmost importance, and the performance of the running backs on the roster is also going to be critical. Jaylen Warren is a machine, and he has been in each of his four seasons in the NFL, but a big question for Pittsburgh heading into the 2026 offseason revolved around who his running mate was going to be.
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Steelers running backs Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson stand aside one another during training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Kenneth Gainwell was Pittsburgh's Team MVP during the 2025 season, which came as a surprise to many. He became an absolute weapon for the offense as he recorded over 1,000 scrimmage yards. He was scheduled to hit free agency, and he wound up signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Steelers needed to land a decent back, and the franchise did more than that as it signed Rico Dowdle to a two-year deal. The running back spoke to the media on Friday, and he shared that he had already been in contact with Warren.
New Steelers RB Rico Dowdle said Jaylen Warren reached out to him last season just to say he liked how he played, and he was rooting for a fellow undrafted guy.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 13, 2026
Now they're teammates.
Both Dowdle and Warren were undrafted, and the two have been rooting for one another throughout their NFL careers. They also have similar playing styles as they are each hard to bring down, and it is almost as if both backs welcome contact. They are sturdy backs with great balance, and they should be able to impose their will against every defense on the schedule.
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Former Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle celebrates after scoring in an NFL game in 2025.
Dowdle was a 1,000-yard rusher in each of the last two seasons, and he is not coming into Pittsburgh to be a backup running back. Warren will technically be the starter due to his tenure, but the two should be expected to operate in a split that will come out to roughly 50/50.
Dowdle was asked about Warren's game, and whether or not he was excited to work with him.
"Me and Jaylen, I think we're pretty similar," Dowdle said. "North and south, vertical guys. In general just getting with a new team, new organization, meeting new people. I'm excited about all of that. New coaches. Excited about it all, looking forward to it."
Dowdle and Warren each seem to have a certain level of appreciation for one another's game, and that likely has to do with the fact that both of them were undrafted. They are genuinely happy for one another and the fact that they were able to make it this far, and that should lead to great play out of the backfield for Pittsburgh during the 2026 season.
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Steelers' Rico Dowdle during a home game while with the Carolina Panthers in 2025.
Steelers' Backfield Should Have Similar Production In 2026
Gainwell is going to be missed in Pittsburgh, and he had a great year in 2025. However, he is not some high-level talent at the running back position that can't be replaced. Pittsburgh should be able to replicate his production with a mixture of Warren and Dowdle. Both players can fight through tackles to earn some extra yards, and each of them are able to catch balls out of the backfield to make something out of nothing. Warren is arguably better when it comes to pass protection, but the two have a good mixture of skills that should be able to play off of one another well.
The running back duo should be exciting to watch for the Steelers, and they will likely be the backbone of the offense.
What do you think about Dowdle and Warren's existing connection? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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