New Update On Kenneth Gainwell's Future With The Steelers Causes Concern

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed running back Kenneth Gainwell last season to a one-year deal worth $1.79 million. At the time, the signing was viewed by many as a sneaky good move, but few would have predicted that Gainwell would literally become the Steelers’ Team MVP. He was voted just that after the 2025 season and now enters free agency with a booming market.

The new Steelers head coach, Mike McCarthy, and General Manager Omar Khan are tasked with a plethora of big, franchise-altering decisions they must make before the 2026 season officially begins. Free agency kicks off on March 11, with the legal tampering period starting two days earlier. The Steelers have not finalized anything with Gainwell yet, as it has become clear, according to Steelers insider Gerry Dulac, that he wants to test the market.

The versatile running back played in all 17 games for the Steelers in 2025, carrying the ball 114 times for 537 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Gainwell made his biggest impact through the air, adding 73 catches for 486 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. That totaled eight touchdowns and 1,023 scrimmage yards for Gainwell, setting him up for a big payday in free agency. Dulac provided an update for Steelers fans when he spoke on the DVE Morning Show on Monday.

"Well, you know, if he does leave, then it would be the first time since Neil O'Donnell in 1996 that the Team MVP left the following year," Dulac said while speaking during a segment on the DVE Morning Show on Monday. "It just seems kind of odd that that would be the case. He wants to test the market, and they know that. We will see what the market brings in for a running back."

The Steelers formed a nice one-two punch with Jaylen Warren and Gainwell. Many were shocked by Gainwell’s ascension, as they had assumed the third-round running back out of Iowa, Kaleb Johnson, would steal carries, but he never was able to. 

Dulac pointed out how eerily similar the Gainwell situation is likely to be to the Justin Fields one the Steelers faced back in the 2025 offseason, when the market simply exceeded what Pittsburgh viewed as spendable.

"Jaylen Warren makes $5.5 million," Dulac said. "Are they going to pay him more than Jaylen Warren per year? I don’t know about that. Sure, they would love to keep him, but it is kind of like Justin Fields. If he is going to test the market, then he is going to test the market. We will see what he gets. I mean, he has never been a starter. No one is going to sign him as a starter, but he is a complementary back who can catch the ball. In today’s NFL, that is a nice piece of the puzzle, so we will see what he commands."

As free agency approaches, all eyes will be on Gainwell and how the Steelers handle his situation. 

Steelers May Be Forced To Part Ways With Team MVP Because Of Situation

With his breakout 2025 season and versatile skill set, Gainwell has proven he can be a difference-maker in Pittsburgh’s backfield. The team now faces a delicate balance between retaining a proven performer and managing salary-cap realities.

While the market may test Pittsburgh’s limits, Gainwell’s value is undeniable. Steelers fans can expect intense speculation in the coming weeks, and whatever decision the front office makes will have a major impact on the team’s 2026 outlook. 

The situation is somewhat unfortunate for Pittsburgh, as Gainwell has not made much money relative to typical professional sports earnings in his career. The lifespan of a running back is often short, and agents know they need to strike while the iron is hot, which could result in the team MVP walking due to opportunity.

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