Undrafted, injured, released – but never giving up. The young OT with over 249 "First-Downs" speaks out after being cut from the Pittsburgh Steelers roster.

Undrafted, injured, released – but never giving up. The young OT talent, who once contributed to over 249 "First Downs" for the team, speaks out after being cut from the Pittsburgh Steelers roster: “I will improve myself and return when the Steelers need me.”

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – October 23, 2025

Just two days after the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they were waiving rookie offensive tackle Gareth Warren, the undrafted free agent out of Lindenwood University has broken his silence — and his message is one of resilience and resolve, not regret.

“The Steelers aren’t just my second home,” Warren said in an interview Thursday, his tone calm but determined. “They’re my purpose. I’ll take this time to rebuild myself — my body, my game, my mindset. And when the Steelers need me again, I’ll be ready.”

At Lindenwood, Warren was part of an offensive line that helped the Lions rank among the top FCS programs in 2023, averaging 32.6 points per game and over 249 first downs on the season. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 310 pounds, Warren became known for his raw power and balance, drawing the attention of NFL scouts despite coming from a smaller program.

But his transition to the pros has been anything but smooth. Warren suffered a concussion during the preseason while attempting to make a tackle, which landed him on injured reserve for two months. Upon recovery, he was moved from his natural left tackle position to right tackle, a switch that exposed his lack of foot speed and lateral agility. Combined with inconsistency in camp and lingering injury issues, the Steelers decided to part ways.

Still, Warren isn’t shying away from accountability.

“I know I’m not at the level I need to be right now,” he admitted. “But I also know I can get there. When I return — stronger, faster, and smarter — I’ll be the kind of player this organization can depend on.”

Rather than seeing the move as rejection, Warren views it as motivation. Since leaving the facility, he’s reportedly been working with a private trainer to improve explosiveness and film discipline, determined to prove that his NFL journey is far from over.

“I didn’t come to the league just to try,” Warren said. “I came here to fight. And I’ll be back when my time comes.”

For Gareth Warren, being waived isn’t the end of a dream — it’s just another rep in the grind. The Steelers may have moved on for now, but Warren’s heart remains in black and gold, waiting for the moment he can return to the field and show Pittsburgh what persistence really looks like.