This summer, in regards to his NFL life, Warren is no longer a kid. He’s still smiling, though, and still feels blessed to earn his living in pro football. But Warren is no longer that unknown undrafted rookie who had one of the temporary locker stalls at the Pittsburgh Steelers facility.

With the 2025 training camp opening this week at Saint Vincent, only eight of the other 90 players on the Steelers roster have been continuously with the team longer than Warren. Whereas in 2022 Warren was elated to play for whatever the team would pay him (his salary was the NFL minimum), as this season kicks off only nine Steelers will have a higher salary-cap hit than Warren.

A quiet — almost shy — rookie three years ago, now Warren is the fifth-oldest starter on offense. And after the Steelers made little attempt to re-sign erstwhile starting running back Najee Harris this spring, that left Warren as the unquestioned No. 1 back as camp gets underway with reporting day Wednesday and the first practice Thursday at Chuck Noll Field.

Warren understands that with the increased tenure, upped salary and heightened role comes a responsibility. He’s no longer that rookie, merely happy to be here and following around the Steelers’ veterans.