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Jaylen Warren opened up on the Steelers’ transition from Mike Tomlin to Mike McCarthy

The Pittsburgh Steelers have endured quite a bit of change this offseason, and they may not be done just yet. While Mike McCarthy has already replaced Mike Tomlin as the team’s head coach, the Steelers could need a new quarterback for the 2026 campaign if Aaron Rodgers ultimately decides to call it a career.

While the team is still waiting for an official decision from Rodgers as the 2026 NFL Draft draws near, the rest of the team has begun working on adapting to life with McCarthy in charge. That includes star running back Jaylen Warren, who recently opened up on the process of getting to know McCarthy after spending several years with Tomlin.

Jaylen Warren Opens Up on Steelers’ Head Coach Change

In just four years, Warren has gone from being an undrafted free agent to making himself a key piece of the Steelers’ offense. That was due in large part to Tomlin, who took a chance on him and gave him the freedom to blossom. Now, Tomlin is gone, and while Warren is excited for what’s to come, he revealed he was upset to learn that his longtime head coach was moving on from the team.

“Me personally, I never thought he was the problem or whatever, but it sucks,” Warren said on “Good Morning Football.” “I was, I wouldn’t say traumatized, but it hurt, because he was the one who took me in as an undrafted (player), he gave me a shot, and that’s who I was playing under for my first four years. To hear him resign, it sucked, but he had to do what he had to do.”

And yet, while Tomlin’s departure hurts, Warren has a shot to work with McCarthy, who is widely considered one of the smartest offensive minds in the NFL. The two haven’t been around each other too much yet, but that will change soon, and Warren shared that he has loved what he has seen from his new head coach so far.

“He’s been energetic,” Warren said when asked about McCarthy. “Obviously, it’s an NFL week, so he’s been doing his thing as far as preparing us for what he wants and is expecting us to expect from him. It’s been great. I just love the energy he brings, and I just love what he’s about.”

Jaylen Warren Set to Remain Key Piece of Steelers Offense in 2026

GettyJaylen Warren of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh’s running back room is going to look somewhat different next season, as Kenneth Gainwell departed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after enjoying a breakout campaign in 2025. He was quickly replaced with Rico Dowdle, who figures to work in a timeshare with Warren at the running back position moving forward.

Warren’s ability to make an impact both as a runner and a receiver makes him very dangerous, and you can bet that McCarthy is already scheming up ways to get him involved in his offense right away next season. The Steelers need to get their quarterback situation solved, but once they do, it’s clear that whoever ends up under center will benefit from a strong running game with Warren and Dowdle leading the way.

Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is an Email Newsletter Editor & Breaking News Writer at Heavy Sports. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, NESN Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli