Through the first four games of the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ rushing offense has been one of the worst in the NFL — but the blame falls more on the offensive line and play-calling than on the talented running back room.
With the Steelers enjoying their much-deserved bye week, we’ve analyzed and rated Pittsburgh’s running backs based on their overall performance through the first four games of the season. From a familiar face to offseason additions, here are the grades for the Steelers’ three running backs.
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Jaylen Warren
Sep 14, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jaylen Warren has been one of the few bright spots on an otherwise inconsistent Steelers offense — leading the team with 274 yards from scrimmage despite missing Week 4 with a knee injury. With little to no help from the offensive line in the rushing game, Warren has made the best of a bad situation with his impressive vision, contact balance, and impact in the receiving game. Pittsburgh will continue to lean on Warren once the dynamic running back fully recovers from his knee injury. Grade: A-
Kenneth Gainwell
DUBLIN, IRELAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Kenneth Gainwell of Pittsburgh Steelers (#14) scores a touchdown in the third quarter during the NFL 2025 game between Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park on September 28, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Gainwell has truly blossomed into a capable backup running back for Pittsburgh — as evidenced by his elite Week 4 performance. A versatile weapon on both offense and special teams, Gainwell shined in Warren’s absence — rushing the ball 19 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns while also catching six passes for 35 yards. If Warren continues to miss time, the Steelers’ rushing attack will be in good hands under Gainwell’s leadership. Grade: B+
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Kaleb Johnson
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 07: Kaleb Johnson #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 07, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Selected out of the third round in the 2025 NFL Draft, Johnson entered an ideal situation — Najee Harris’s exit left Pittsburgh with a huge need at running back, which many fans hoped the young rookie could fill. We learned early that Johnson wasn’t ready for game speed at the next level, as his preseason struggles left him clawing for rushing opportunities behind Warren and Gainwell. To keep him involved, the Steelers tasked him with kickoff return duties, and we all know how that went — committing one of the worst rookie mistakes in recent memory against the Seattle Seahawks. Johnson will still more than likely develop into a key contributor on offense, but his impact so far this season has been nothing short of disappointing. Grade: D-
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers’ bye week grades for Jaylen Warren, and two more RBs