The 2026 NFL regular season has absolutely flown by, and already we’re at the mid-point. Through nine weeks, the Steelers are absolutely rolling, sitting pretty at 6-2, topping the AFC North and holding that crucial No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff picture. Everyone’s talking about who’s driving this incredible start, and honestly, the answer is pretty clear after we took a look at the mid-season MVP candidates.
Jaylen Warren Is THE Engine For This Offense
Look, if you’ve been watching, you know this award can’t go to anyone else. Jaylen Warren has been an absolute force, the kind of igniter every offense dreams of having. He was third in the entire NFL in scrimmage yards through eight weeks, and even after the bye, he’s still sitting at fifth. But it’s not just the yards, it’s the *way* he’s getting them: with mind-blowing efficiency. On an offense that’s been begging for playmakers on the outside, Warren is the engine making everything go, pushing the Steelers’ offense onto a serious upward trend.
Austin Bechtold hit it right on the head, Warren came into the bye week with more rushing yards than even Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor. Think about that for a second! His 6.93 yards per touch this season is not just good, it’s the highest in all of football. We’re talking 1.31 yards *more* per touch than the next closest running back, Bijan Robinson. That’s a massive gap. He’s undeniably the best weapon in this Steelers arsenal, literally revolutionary for an offense that, let’s be real, felt stagnant for half a decade. You want more carries for him? Absolutely, as long as his body can take it.
Mike Nicastro summed it up perfectly: Warren has consistently delivered. Whether it’s ripping off explosive plays, always keeping the offense ahead of the chains, or just providing that much-needed spark when the passing game struggles, he’s there. Through just eight games, the man has racked up 704 rushing yards on 119 carries, averaging an insane 5.9 yards per attempt. And he’s not just a runner, adding 294 receiving yards on 25 receptions, putting him at a staggering 998 scrimmage yards with three total touchdowns. This guy isn’t just a running back, he’s the *reason* the Steelers are 6-2 and on a four-game winning streak.
Even after the bye, still fifth in the league in scrimmage yards? There’s zero chance the Steelers are sitting at 6-2 without his productivity. He’s absolutely earned the consensus MVP nod, cementing himself as one of the top three to five running backs in the game right now.
Zach Frazier: The Unsung Anchor Making It All Happen
While Warren is rightly getting all the MVP love, we can’t forget the guys in the trenches making his magic possible. Center Zach Frazier is absolutely crucial to everything Warren and the rest of the offense are doing. Ryan Parish wasn’t wrong to say Frazier has a case for being the best at his position in the *entire NFL*.
Ryland Bickley echoed that, calling Frazier arguably the best center in the league this year. And when it’s a toss-up like this between a star running back and an elite center, why not shine a spotlight on the offensive line? Frazier has been the anchor for a group that, honestly, has been *the story* of this team’s season so far. His impact directly translates to Warren’s success, giving him those lanes and that crucial time.
The Steelers are sitting pretty at 6-2, top of the AFC North, and holding a playoff spot because of the incredible play of guys like Jaylen Warren and Zach Frazier. The season’s only halfway done, but if this is what we’re seeing already, the rest of 2026 is going to be a wild ride. The team’s staff is set to drop more mid-season awards soon, so keep an eye out to see who else gets recognized!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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