Signed to an under-the-radar one-year deal in free agency, running back Kenneth Gainwell is starting to look like a significant bargain for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season.
The team raved about him all offseason and training camp. He also had a huge breakout game in Dublin in the win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4. But Gainwell’s production in recent weeks is rather eye-opening.
In Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Gainwell had seven receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns. He built upon that strong day with a 92-yard rushing performance against the Chicago Bears in Week 12. He added six receptions for 30 yards.
He’s now tied for the team lead in receptions with DK Metcalf, with 42 on the season. The backup is starting to see the field more frequently, splitting time with Jaylen Warren in the process.
Speaking to reporters Monday from the locker room at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side, Gainwell acknowledged his role is growing offensively, and he’s seizing the opportunity.
“Yeah, it’s growing. I’m taking on that opportunity,” Gainwell said of his increased role, according to video via Steelers.com. “I always talk about opportunities, and I’m taking full advantage of that, and I’m just embracing it.”
Coming into the 2025 season, it was expected that the backfield would be Warren’s to own now that Najee Harris was out of the picture. The Steelers didn’t make major upgrades over Warren, outside of signing Gainwell and drafting Kaleb Johnson in the third round.
Warren hasn’t done anything to lose playing time, but Gainwell has forced the Steelers’ hand with his production. Warren suffered an ankle injury in Week 11 against the Bengals and played just 18 snaps. Gainwell saw 41. On Sunday, Gainwell out-snapped Warren 37-36, leading to a nearly 50/50 split.
On the season, Gainwell has played 304 offensive snaps, while Warren has played 324 offensive snaps. Warren is barely outplaying Gainwell, at least from a snaps perspective. Warren has more touches, too. Gainwell has 71 rushes for 336 yards on the season with three touchdowns, adding another 42 receptions for 234 yards and two touchdowns.
That’s 113 touches for 570 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per touch.
Warren, on the other hand, has 141 carries for 604 yards and three touchdowns, along with 25 receptions for 219 yards and a touchdown. Add those all up, and it’s 166 touches for 823 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.95 yards per touch. Pretty even split there between the two running backs, based on playing time and production.
It’s a good situation to be in for the Steelers. Warren has remained relatively healthy this season compared to previous years, and Gainwell is proving to be quite the bargain and a key piece of the offense. He’s taking advantage of the opportunity and might be playing his way into a long-term deal with the Black and Gold in the near future, too.
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