Jaylen Warren gave Pittsburgh another standout rushing performance Sunday, matching his career high with 143 yards as the Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns 27-6. The victory put Pittsburgh alone atop the AFC North, while Warren marked his 28th birthday with a touchdown and 17 carries. He has now reached 100 rushing yards in consecutive games and four times this season.
The fifth-year running back, who entered the league as an undrafted rookie, is benefiting from a featured role and strong blocking. Pittsburgh finished with 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 33 attempts against Cleveland. Afterward, coach Mike McCarthy made clear how much confidence Warren had earned: "Jaylen is on fire," he said. "You can't get him the ball enough."
The Steelers' offensive line played with an evident determination to answer recent comments from Browns pass rusher Jared Verse. Guard Mason McCormick slammed Verse to the ground during the first half. Another indication of the group's enthusiasm came at the end of the opening quarter, when McCormick and center Zach Frazier sprinted across the field while Brock Hoffman gestured toward the sideline for Pittsburgh to keep running.
Warren also delivered an unlikely conversion on third-and-13, turning a trap play into a 51-yard gain. That run helped Pittsburgh establish its first double-digit advantage of the game. Rodgers expressed surprise that the call produced a first down in that situation, saying he could not remember the last time he had been on the field for something similar.
The running game's ability to extend possessions has complemented a defense that has gone seven quarters without conceding a touchdown. Pittsburgh sacked Deshaun Watson eight times Sunday, with linebacker T.J. Watt accounting for two. Watt praised Warren's toughness, selflessness and enthusiasm for football, describing a teammate whose approach includes wearing a T-shirt and shorts at December practices in temperatures around 12 degrees.
Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh's longest-serving player, placed Warren alongside the strong running backs he has played with during his career. He also credited Rico Dowdle, saying the pair's ability to keep drives moving gives defensive players valuable opportunities to rest on the sideline.
Warren's progress has included greater attention to recovery. After a somewhat disappointing 2024 season, he planned to spend more time receiving treatment at the team facility. He followed that with a career-best 958 rushing yards in 2025 and is now on pace for the most productive Steelers rushing season since Le'Veon Bell.
Asked Sunday about the additional recovery work, Warren said it was paying off. His development has been accompanied by strong support from teammates, with Rodgers praising both his contributions on the field and his qualities as a teammate. For Warren, improving his own performance remains tied to helping Pittsburgh pursue its Super Bowl ambitions.
