When the Steelers signed running back Kenneth Gainwell to a one-year contract this past offseason, they were looking for someone to complement fellow running back Jaylen Warren.
They got a whole lot more.
And that is why running back Kenneth Gainwell was voted the Steelers 2025 Most Valuable Player by his teammates.
Through 16 games, Gainwell has 109 carries for 527 yards, a 4.8-yard average and four rushing touchdowns. His 527 yards rank second on the team, behind only Warren.
He also has 65 receptions for 422 yards, a 6.5-yard average, and three touchdown receptions. His 422 receiving yards rank third on the team, behind receiver DK Metcalf and tight end Pat Freiermuth.
His contributions don't stop there. Gainwell also has returned 25 kickoffs for 601 yards, a 24-yard average, including a long of 36 yards.
Gainwell has 949 yards from scrimmage and 1,550 all purpose yards in his first season in black and gold.
"Kenny's been unbelievable in the passing game, just unbelievable," said quarterback Aaron Rodgers. "And he's so dang smart.
"I was telling him, I wish I played with him for 10 years just because of the kind of player that he is.
"You just love playing with that guy."
Being smart was clearly on display on a play in the Steelers win over the Detroit Lions in Week 16.
Gainwell came up with one of the biggest plays in the game, and one of the best offensive plays of the season.
Calling it a 45-yard touchdown reception would be a disservice as it was much more than that.
With just seconds to play in the first half, and the Steelers trailing 10-3, Gainwell was knocked to the ground but still somehow managed to catch a long pass from Rodgers.
Gainwell had the wherewithal to get up after not being touched while he was on the ground, and scampered to the end zone for the touchdown to tie the game at the half.
"Aaron called a play and he told me just go out and run a go ball," said Gainwell. "It takes unbelievable concentration to catch a ball like that.
"I kind of lost it for a minute in the lights and then the last second it came to me. I just put my hand on the ground, and I don't know how I caught that, but caught it.
"Never give up on a play. Just go score.
"It takes unbelievable concentration, knowing that you have to come back to the ball. What I did was try to draw a flag. If the ball was going to be too far, I tried to draw a flag. But at the same time, I tried to come to the ball and it just sat in my hands.
"I just caught it and went in and scored."
Gainwell's football IQ came in handy, knowing that the play was still live since he wasn't touched.
"That just goes with knowing the rules," said Gainwell. "Knowing if you catch a ball, get up and go score. No matter if I'm running the ball and I fall down, I know I have to get up, I'm not touched down.
"I knew I had to get up and go score. I didn't know if he touched me or not, but I got up and finished."
Gainwell also has been a component of the Steelers 'tush push,' and against the Bears, broke around right end for a 55-yard gain on what appeared to everyone as a tush push, coming up just one yard short of the goal line. Gainwell finished that game with 10 carries for 92 yards, a 9.2-yard average, and six receptions for 30 yards, and said adding responsibility such as the 'tush push' play is something he welcomes.
"I'm taking that opportunity," said Gainwell at the time. "I always talk about opportunities, and I'm taking full advantage of that.
"I'm just embracing it."
Steelers MVPs since 1969
1969 - Roy Jefferson, WR
1970 - Joe Greene, DT
1971 - Andy Russell, LB
1972 - Franco Harris, RB
1973 - Ron Shanklin, WR
1974 - Glen Edwards, S
1975 - Mel Blount, CB
1976 - Jack Lambert, LB
1977 - Terry Bradshaw, QB
1978 - Terry Bradshaw, QB
1979 - John Stallworth, WR
1980 - Donnie Shell, SS
1981 - Jack Lambert, LB
1982 - Dwayne Woodruff, CB
1983 - Gary Anderson, K
1984 - John Stallworth, WR
1985 - Louis Lipps, WR
1986 - Bryan Hinkle, LB
1987 - Mike Merriweather, LB
1988 - David Little, LB & Rod Woodson, CB
1989 - Louis Lipps, WR
1990 - Rod Woodson, CB
1991 - Greg Lloyd, LB
1992 - Barry Foster, RB
1993 - Rod Woodson, CB
1994 - Greg Lloyd, LB
1995 - Neil O'Donnell, QB
1996 - Jerome Bettis, RB
1997 - Jerome Bettis, RB
1998 - Levon Kirkland, LB
1999 - Levon Kirkland, LB
2000 - Jerome Bettis, RB
2001 - Kordell Stewart, QB
2002 - Joey Porter, LB & Hines Ward, WR
2003 - Hines Ward, WR
2004 - James Farrior, LB
2005 - Casey Hampton, NT & Hines Ward, WR
2006 - Willie Parker, RB
2007 - James Harrison, LB
2008 - James Harrison, LB
2009 - Ben Roethlisberger, QB
2010 - Troy Polamalu, S
2011 - Antonio Brown, WR
2012 - Heath Miller, TE
2013 - Antonio Brown, WR
2014 - Le'Veon Bell, RB
2015 - Antonio Brown, WR
2016 - Le'Veon Bell, RB
2017 - Antonio Brown, WR
2018 - JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
2019 - T.J. Watt, LB
2020 - T.J. Watt, LB
2021 - T.J. Watt, LB
2022 - Minkah Fitzpatrick, S
2023 - T.J. Watt, LB
2024 - T.J. Watt, LB
2025 - Kenneth Gainwell, RB
