Chip will always be there: Running back Jaylen Warren is a player who quietly goes about his business, focuses on the task at hand and tries to stay out of the limelight.

But on Monday, it was hard for him to avoid the limelight after he signed a new three-year contract.

"It's always something you dream about," said Warren of the contract. "But I didn't know it was going to come this soon. I'm grateful it did.

"I never looked toward the future. I always stayed present, in the moment, and whatever panned out for me, that's what panned out.

"There's a saying out there, whenever you get paid you get lackadaisical. I look at it as more motivation, do what I can for the team."

Warren is an NFL success story, signing with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft and making the 53-man roster his rookie season.

He is a former JUCO product, fighting and clawing his way for everything he has.

And he doesn't take one thing for granted, especially with his beginnings.

"It's surreal. I could go forever on that topic," said Warren. "It's surreal. It's what everyone who goes to JUCO dreams about, being in a situation like mine. I hope I can be the one to look up to when you're in those hard situations in JUCO.

"Every time I hear a JUCO product, it's like extra respect for them, because that life is not easy. And kudos to them."

In three seasons, Warren appeared in 48 games, not making any starts. He has 346 carries for 1,674 yards, a 4.8-yard average, and six touchdowns. He also has 127 receptions for 894 yards, a 7.0-yard average.

Now, he is a go-to guy for the offense, someone who can be depended on to give more than 100 percent every time he takes the field.

"It's a great feeling knowing they have my back," said Warren. "I'm going to do what I can to have their back. I'm blessed."

Warren approaches every snap, whether it's in practice or game, with a chip on his shoulder. That comes from his being undrafted and it's something he will never let go of.

"If anything, it's to add more chips," said Warren of his contract.

With that chip comes an approach that is nothing but pure physical football when he is on the field.

"I love the way I play," said Warren. "I don't think I'll ever (change that). That's why I play this sport, because of the physicality.

"I just love playing that way. (I want everyone to) know that I can ball. I love playing ball."

Taking the lead: Steelers players voted on captains on Monday, selecting four players to represent them this season in that role.

This year's team captains are quarterback Aaron Rodgers on offense, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and linebacker T.J. Watt on defense and safety Miles Killebrew on special teams.

Watt is a captain for the fifth time in his career and it's a role he takes to heart.

"It's huge," said Watt. "It's something I don't take lightly. It's something I'm continually trying to work on, the leadership role, and talk more. Trying to reach out to younger guys more and be more encouraging. Things like that have helped me become a better leader and it's nice to be recognized by the guys."

When Watt first came to the Steelers, he took a quieter approach, listening and learning.

Now he is the one setting the example for younger players.

"It's trying to be more open, talking to guys and not be so lone wolf at times," said Watt. "Trying to do more encouraging and let guys know when they do a good job. Talking to the offense more and not just being a defensive guy. Trying to help out anywhere I possibly can."

There was one message Watt didn't have to deliver on Monday to younger players and that was how things change from the preseason to Week 1 in the NFL.

"I really think if you can't feel it, you shouldn't be here," said Watt. "The intensity has already picked up. It's a bonus Monday, so I'm sure it will be more for Wednesday for younger guys.

"That's the thing for me is to try to remember, what it felt like. Obviously, this is my ninth season now, so it's hard to not feel the redundancy at a certain point. I love what I do, but it's also a reminder of what a guy like Jack Sawyer is feeling. So, I can relate to him and slow things down for him if I can."

Honored for the opportunity: Former Steelers offensive lineman Max Starks can't help but smile as he thinks about his new role with the Steelers Audio Network.

Starks, who has been a sideline analyst for the broadcast team since 2021, has been elevated to the radio booth where he will be the color commentator, enjoying his first regular season game this week when the Steelers take on the New York Jets.

"I'm really excited for the opportunity," said Starks. "Joining in the line of tremendous color analysts for the Pittsburgh Steelers is special. When you think back to Myron Cope, Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley, and being able to say you're associated in that same group, it's kind of a daunting challenge when you first look at it on paper. Knowing that these are the guys that paved the way for me to be in this position."

Starks steps into the role that was held by Wolfley, the beloved former Steelers offensive lineman who passed away on March 10.

Starks, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers, isn't trying to replace Wolfley, just honor those who came before him.

"Talking about having offensive linemen in the booth, it's uncommon in a lot of media forums. You don't see it," said Starks. "You see quarterbacks. You see defensive backs. You see linebackers. You see all these other positions. But really offensive line is one of those that's still very nuanced and people get it or they don't get it. So having guys like Tunch Ilkin, Craig Wolfley you can point to, they are successful offensive linemen, especially here in this city.

"It's a special honor. This is the place I got drafted, the place that I played the majority of my career and then was able to rejoin. Granted, I don't love the circumstances every time, but I know that if I was going to follow in anybody's footsteps, it's the guys I respected the most. And there's nobody I respected more in my in my entire football career than Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley. I looked at them as big brothers throughout this whole process. They even gave the uncle pat on the back. We had the kick in the pants as well at the same time. And I appreciated that because there was a pure honesty, passion and love for this game that I hope that I can carry on and show that to our fans that the tradition has not been broken in any type of way. It's only simply gone on and evolved throughout this process so we could tell this great story of football, but more simply tell the tremendous story of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Full speed ahead: Inside linebacker Patrick Queen likes what he sees as the countdown continues to Sunday's regular-season opener against the New York Jets.

"Given all the pieces that we brought in, everybody has done a great job of gelling together," Queen assessed. "We have a lot of flexibility on that defense and everybody's loving it right now. The vibes are high.

"The emphasis is us going out there right now and keep the thing steady flowing."

Queen assesses the Steelers as capable of winning multiple ways, as opposed to being an offensive- or defensive-driven team in the campaign that's about to commence.

"I think both sides are going to fuel the emotions for this team," Queen said. "Even special teams, I think all three phases have the ability to do some damage.

"When you have a guy like (quarterback) Aaron (Rodgers) on that side, you know he's going to put up points so as a defense that fuels you more to go out there, give him more chances."

The Steelers have stressed versatility and position flexibility throughout the preseason. Queen believes those components of their game are about to pay dividends, and might be the most impactful differences heading into the 2025 season.

"Just the more flexibility that we have, the ability to be able to change looks and be diffident to the offense," he said. "That's what I think is going to be the biggest factor in this season.

"I think we can ride that the whole way through the season."

The Steelers have also spent a great deal of time and effort honing their blitz packages, a suggestion if not a hint as to their intentions to bring more pressure this season.

"They call it 'Blitzburgh' for a reason and we're getting back to that," Queen said. "I'm excited."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

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