Behind the Steel Curtain
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell was named team MVP on Friday. Selected by his teammates, Gainwell becomes the first running back to win the award since Le’Veon Bell won it in 2016.
After etching his name in Steelers history, Gainwell was able to reflect on his season and talk about his potential future with the team during his media availability.
“This experience has been amazing to me,” Gainwell said Friday. “It’s definitely something I would love to experience again. But, obviously, you know, the free agency thing — it’s different. This is exactly something that I would love to come back to and be a part of.”
Gainwell appears to acknowledge that while free agency is unpredictable and things can change, he wants to be part of the organization for years to come.
The team MVP is only making 1.79 million this season, after signing a one-year deal in March. A clear priority for Pittsburgh this offseason should and will be to ensure Gainwell stays in Pittsburgh for a long time.
Gainwell has totaled 537 yards on the ground this season, but his pass-catching is what has made him invaluable to the Steelers’ offense. His 73 catches led the team, with 486 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Gainwell scored a crucial touchdown for the Steelers in the second half as they defeated the Baltimore Ravens and claimed their first AFC North title since the 2020 season.
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