Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell continues to turn heads this season. He very well could be the team’s MVP.
Late in the second quarter, Gainwell made a spectacular 45-yard touchdown grab from Aaron Rodgers. 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 half. Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone failed to touch Gainwell after he made the catch.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME KG 😱 @KENNETHGAINWEL
📺: #PITvsDET on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/tIObyBYuvZ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 21, 2025
The fifth-year tailback has piled up 1,312 all-purpose yards entering Week 16, a total that leads his team and ranks seventh in the AFC. His 57 receptions also top the Steelers’ leaderboard.
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 (93.7) 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.
“Saquon (Barkley) casts a pretty large shadow,” Tomlin said. “We played that football team and Kenny made some significant plays in that game against us, converting third downs early in that game that produced scoring drives. I think he converted three third downs that transferred to 17 points in the midst of that game. He also covered kicks in that game. He returns kicks.
“So what we saw was a guy that was a football player first, that had a nice skillset to do a lot of things. … I don’t know that either of us is surprised by what he’s doing or what he’s capable of. We saw it firsthand in-stadium as an opponent.”
ainwell’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.”
Brenden Howe contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: WATCH: Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell Makes Spectacular TD Grab
