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New Bucs running back Kenneth Gainwell, known in Pittsburgh as “Kenny G.”
Joe loves hearing quality whining on out-of-town sports radio about a player lost to the Bucs.
Joe really likes the Bucs signing of running back Kenneth Gainwell, aka Kenny G, the guy who won the Steelers’ in-house vote for 2025 team MVP.
Gainwell covers kicks, returns kicks, runs well and caught 73 balls last season, including some at slot receiver.
Consider what Aaron Rodgers said about Gainwell early last season.
> “I thought Kenny G, obviously, Kenny Gainwell, if you’re a football fan, you know who he is and you’ve followed his career,” Rodgers said. “It seemed like every time he went into the game, for me, as a football fan, with Philly, it was like, ‘Man, this guy’s really good. He should get more touches.’ So, when I came here, I knew what kind of player he was. I tell him all the time, he is an absolute baller, any opportunity he gets man, Kenny’s been great all year. He’s making himself a lot of money.”
Rodgers’ words proved prophetic. Gainwell got a fat raise in the form of a two-year, $14 million contract from the Bucs.
Joe listened to _The Pomp And Joe Show_ on Pittsburgh sports radio yesterday where the hosts were calling Gainwell “radically underpaid” with the Steelers and agreeing that they would have paid him more than the Bucs did to stay in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers “Team MVP” vote is taken very seriously. The tradition dates back to 1969 and the list of winners reads like an NFL history book.
T.J. Watt is a five-time winner. Here’s what he told the team website about Gainwell winning last year.
> “It’s not a vote that any of us take lightly,” said linebacker T.J. Watt, a five-time team MVP. “It’s a huge honor. Kenny G, he’s made so many plays in the run and pass.
> “Great teammate as well. He works hard. Can’t say enough great things about him as a player and as a teammate. So, I’m just excited for him.”
Rodgers also has talked about Gainwell’s tremendous football intelligence and versatility.
Did the Bucs get an upgrade from Rachaad White? Considering all that Gainwell can do well, and his 10 games of postseason experience, Joe thinks that’s very likely.