Steelers Now
NFL Films revealed that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers improvised on the incredible 45-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Gainwell in Sunday’s 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions.
Rodgers told Gainwell to run a go route in the backfield, basically drawing up the play in the dirt.
“Motion all the way out, run a go. All the way out,” Rodgers yelled to Gainwell before he made arguably the play of the year in the NFL.
Rodgers yelled to Gainwell after the touchdown, “You f****** baller, you f****** baller! Yeah!”
Rodgers then said as he was walking on the sideline, “Draw it up in the dirt, right?”
Gainwell fell to the turf and still managed to haul in the catch. He then had the awareness to get up and run for a touchdown to tie the game at 10-10 with two seconds remaining in the first half. Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone failed to touch Gainwell after he made the catch.
.@AaronRodgers12 told @KENNETHGAINWEL to run a go route in the backfield…
and then he made one of the best plays of the year.@insidetheNFL Week 16 Mic'd Up on X pic.twitter.com/EWC0Pmg3js
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2025
Gainwell continues to turn heads this season. He very well could be the team’s MVP.
Gainwell had 862 all-purpose yards with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. He’s currently averaging nearly 44 more all-purpose yards per game this season (91.1) than the last one (50.7). Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he expected Gainwell to have an increased role in black and gold when the team signed him last offseason.
Gainwell’s ground total is the highest of his career. As is his receiving output, which has complemented star wideout DK Metcalf. Gainwell was asked why he’s been able to have such success with the Steelers.
“Aaron Rodgers. That’s all I can say,” Gainwell said. “Him trusting me, my hands, just doing the small things and just going out there and working.”
Rodgers also gave high praise to Gainwell.
“Kenny’s been unbelievable in the passing game. Just unbelievable,” Rodgers said. “And he’s so damn smart. I was telling him, ‘I wish I had played with him for 10 years.’ Just because the kind of player that he is. You just love playing with that guy.”
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: WATCH: Aaron Rodgers Improvised on Incredible TD Pass to Kenneth Gainwell
