Several Steelers Stars Including Aaron Rodgers Not Happy With Jaylen Warren's Role
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense clearly did a lot wrong on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was arguably Aaron Rodgers’ worst game of his entire NFL career, as he missed several big-time throws that could have swung the outcome. The Steelers ended up losing 25-10, but with better offensive execution, they had every chance to win. The offensive struggles highlighted ongoing concerns about play-calling, timing, and the ability to get the football to the right players in critical moments.
Adding to the conversation, Steelers insider Gerry Dulac revealed in a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article that Rodgers has expressed a desire to get Warren more involved, preferring him over Kenneth Gainwell in most situations. This sentiment echoes what many fans and analysts have been saying all offseason: Warren is the dynamic playmaker the Steelers need on the field more often. If Pittsburgh wants to maximize its offensive potential, finding ways to get Warren the football consistently could be a game-changing adjustment.
"I’d love to see Jaylen [Warren] on first, second or third down, but I love seeing Kenny on first, second, third down, too," Rodgers said. "They’re a luxury, those two guys. I think we need to keep getting Jaylen more runs on first and second down and mix them in on third down. But Kenny's done a great job on third down for us."
Gainwell has played very well for the Steelers and has made the most of every opportunity he has been given. This is not a slight at him. Rodgers has made it clear that Gainwell can still be mixed in, even on critical downs like third. However, Rodgers would like to see Warren start more drives on first and second down specifically.
Warren would also see action on third down, but Rodgers wanted to emphasize that he still values having Gainwell on the field. Overall, this is more of a compliment to how important and productive Rodgers believes Warren is in this offense. Rodgers is not the only Steeler who would like to see Warren get the football more. Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth also gave an interesting and telling quote on the subject.
"He’s untackle-able," Freiermuth said. "He’s a guy you can get the ball in his hand in any circumstances. He can break tackles and win."
Steelers Need To Use Jaylen Warren As Bell Cow
The Steelers need to use Warren as a bell cow. Elite backs like Christian McCaffrey routinely get 20-plus touches a game, and Warren has shown he can be just as productive, even with far fewer opportunities.
Warren’s efficiency with limited touches proves he can do even more if given the chance. Many pundits believe Smith and this Steelers offense need to get him the football more to maximize their production.
Of course, there is also the risk that giving Warren the ball more could reduce his efficiency. However, many believe this is a risk the Steelers need to take at this stage of the 2025 season.
Do you agree with Aaron Rodgers and Pat Freiermuth that Jaylen Warren needs to be getting the football more? Why or why not?
Andy Reid Drops Final Isiah Pacheco Update Before Chiefs vs. Broncos
The war of attrition is a natural part of the NFL, and the Kansas City Chiefs have learned that the hard way as of late. Despite coming off a Week 10 bye, the reigning AFC champs still have some injuries to tend to.
With Sunday’s Week 11 bout against the Denver Broncos approaching, several players popped up on the club’s injury report. Running back Isiah Pacheco topped the list, with plenty of doubt surrounding his status for the weekend.
Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, head coach Andy Reid added some fuel to that fire.
Andy Reid Makes Last Update on RB Isiah Pacheco for Week 11 vs. Broncos
Reid didn’t confirm that his starting halfback would miss Sunday’s game, but he also did nothing to instill more confidence. If historical Reid trends hold, Pacheco could miss the Chiefs’ Week 11 AFC West showdown in Denver with an MCL sprain.
“Alright, so the only person who didn’t practice today was Pacheco,” Reid said. “Everybody else went.
Earlier this week, Reid made it clear that he’d “have to see” how Pacheco progressed before making a determination on his status. With the former seventh-round pick missing each practice this week, expectations for his ultimate decision became clearer.
UPDATE: Kansas City officially ruled Pacheco out later on Friday afternoon.
Pacheco, now in his fourth season with the Chiefs, has logged 78 carries for 329 yards and a touchdown this year. In the games he’s played, he was on the field for 56.4% of available offensive snaps (307 reps). In his last healthy outing, a 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders, he set a season-high mark with 58 rushing yards. Unfortunately, the Rutgers product sustained the knee injury in the fourth quarter.
With Pacheco out in Week 9’s 28-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City went with Kareem Hunt as its lead halfback. He led the team in carries (11) and yards (49), also recording a rushing touchdown. Rookie Brashard Smith (3 carries for 7 yards) and 2020 first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire (2 carries for 5 yards) supported Hunt.
With a shorthanded running back rotation once again, it’s reasonable to expect Hunt to be leaned on to produce.
Other Chiefs Injury Odds & Ends Ahead of Sunday’s Game
Pacheco, while the most pressing, wasn’t the only injured Chief who needed to be accounted for. Two players, wide receiver Xavier Worthy and defensive end George Karlaftis, were limited at practice in various points of the week.
Worthy’s inclusion in the Thursday injury report caught many by surprise. After all, he wasn’t on Week 9’s pre-bye list, leaving most to assume he was past his ankle injury. On the contrary, Reid says the speedy wideout aggravated the issue a bit this week. He was a full participant in Friday’s work, however, according to Reid.
“Xavier, I know, was on that list,” Reid began. “He’s had an ankle. He just tweaked it a little bit, but he was good, good to go. He did everything today, no problem.”
Karlaftis, the Chiefs’ leader in sacks (5) and tackles for loss (7), was limited on both Wednesday and Thursday. Despite his thumb injury, Reid didn’t seem worried about the fourth-year man’s availability for the weekend.
“George did a nice job today, I thought,” Reid said. “Good.”
Kansas City won’t be at 100% health against their division rivals, but things could certainly be worse for them as they look to climb back into the conference playoff picture.
