—Running back Jaylen Warren and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed on a two-year contract extension, agent David Canter posted on social media Monday.

Warren, who is entering his fourth season with the Steelers and first as a starter, was scheduled to become a free agent in March. He was a restricted free agent this past offseason, and the Steelers gave him a second-round tender worth $5.346 million.

Warren, 26, made the roster as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and worked his way into a vital role in the team’s offense. His best season was 2023 when he totaled more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage, rushing for 784 yards and catching 61 passes for 370 yards. He had a career-high four rushing touchdowns that season.

Warren’s presence in the backfield helped the Steelers’ decision to allow Najee Harris to depart in free agency. The Steelers drafted Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson in the third round, but Warren enters the season as the starter.

Warren’s deal also beat the team’s self-imposed deadline on contract negotiations. The Steelers cease negotiations once the regular season begins. The first game is Sunday at the New York Jets.