Jaylen Warren Details His First Week Under Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy’s tenure will last much longer and be defined by much more than his first few months on the job and his first week getting to work directly with the roster. It’s a process that began with Phase One Tuesday. Still, first impressions matter, and RB Jaylen Warren offered an optimistic report.

“He’s been energetic,” Warren told Good Morning Football Friday as transcribed by NFL.com. “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.”

While Mike Tomlin brought plenty of passion, McCarthy has a chance to inject new enthusiasm into the locker room and franchise that’s felt stagnant for the past decade. McCarthy’s love of football has never been in question. His excitement about getting to lead his hometown team will only bring out that enthusiasm all the more.

Initial meetings like the ones McCarthy’s going through now are about selling the mission and vision. To create a spark and confidence that Pittsburgh’s new coach, its first change in nearly 20 years, can carry the baton and take the organization to new heights. Warren made clear he wasn’t excited to see Tomlin step down, but he thinks McCarthy can get the job done his way.

“Whatever the coaches have planned, I know we’re ready to execute it,” he said.

Warren and RB Rico Dowdle, who played under McCarthy in Dallas, will make up Pittsburgh’s backfield. The Steelers had a steady ground game with Warren and RB Kenneth Gainwell having personal success. Their run success rates were top-15 in football. Still, the aggregate rushing numbers disappointed, and the team remains in search of more splash plays.

For as much focus has been placed on McCarthy’s vision at quarterback and the passing game, he’s made clear that his West Coast roots center around the running game. That’s good news for Warren, who fell just 42 yards shy of 1,000 rushing yards in 2025.