The Pittsburgh Steelers have brought in a ton of big names to help them get over the hump of winning a playoff game, but the biggest contributions have come from no-name guys trying to earn a spot on a roster. The main one that everyone is talking about is running back Kenneth Gainwell, who is actually leading the team in receptions despite being listed as a backup that is making less than $2 million on his current one-year deal. He has been an absolute force for a team desperate for offense.
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Steelers' Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell celebrate after a play against the Green Bay Packers in 2025.
None of his production is by dumb luck, except maybe for that incredible circus catch in Week 16. Either way, Gainwell's personal coach Bert Whigham explained how the world is now finding out exactly what kind of athlete his client truly is.
"In the six years I’ve been working with him, Kenny has taken maybe one or two vacations," Whigham said. "He showed up the week after the Super Bowl and started training again. His work ethic is second to none, and not giving up is incredible"
Gainwell literally became a champion in Super Bowl LIX with the Philadelphia Eagles, but that was not enough for him. He was able to enjoy the moment and celebrate a little bit, but that would not be the last of him that fans heard of. He still did everything he could to make sure he was in top shape for any potential suitors in free agency. Judging by the contract he signed, he did not have a ton of offers coming his way.
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Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) runs with the football during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The ball carrier has become a star in Pittsburgh the year after being a part of a Super Bowl squad. Gainwell has 911 total scrimmage yards through 16 weeks, which is easily the most he ever had in his career. In fact, he has already shattered almost every personal single-season record. Despite that, he has only played in 47% of offensive snaps in the season while also getting 34% of special teams snaps.
Everyone on the team has nothing but amazing things to say about Gainwell. He has quickly become a locker room favorite, and it may be hard for the Steelers to justify letting him walk away in free agency despite the rough market for running backs nowadays. He has a very strong case for team MVP in 2025. That kind of season is possible when you win a Super Bowl and refuse to use that as an excuse to be lazy.
Gainwell may be listed as a backup running back on the depth chart, but no one sees him that way. People just label him as a "football player," a position-less man that can and will do anything that is asked of him. He can run, catch, return kicks, and even tackle on special teams or take snaps as a wildcat quarterback. He doesn't have one set job; he just does what he is told, and he does it at a high level.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers at practice with Kenneth Gainwell and Arthur Smith ahead of the 2025 season opener.
In that article where Whigham spoke about Gainwell, there was also a note about how he got married but still worked out as much as he could right after that. To him, there is no excuse for taking an extended period of time off. No matter what great or horrible life moments there are, the quest to keep improving and trying to win games comes first to him.
Steelers May Be Able To Keep Gainwell Without Truly Breaking The Bank
There have been a couple of Steelers insiders that have noted that the team could sign Gainwell to a similar contract to what Jaylen Warren received. Including his RFA tender, Warren's contract is set at 3 years and worth $17.5 million total. At under $6 million per year, that would be an absolute steal to bring back the likely team MVP.
What do you think about Gainwell's insane work ethic? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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