Kenneth Gainwell’s Breakout Season Has Fueled Steelers Success

Kenneth Gainwell was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 as a fifth-round pick from the University of Memphis. Since then, he contributed to the Eagles’ Super Bowl in 2025 and is now a featured back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

On March 13, 2025, the Steelers signed Gainwell to a one-year deal after the departure of running back Najee Harris. Harris took his talents to the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year deal himself before suffering a gruesome achilles tendon injury on Sept. 21 against the Denver Broncos. 

Harris’ departure left Jaylen Warren as the lone lead back, and the Steelers were looking for depth. Gainwell caught the eye of head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers organization. 

Gainwell rushed the ball for 20 yards and caught the ball three times for 40 yards in the victory, and helped the Eagles convert on key third downs. 

He finished the 2024-25 season rushing for 290 rushing yards and 116 receiving yards and became a Super Bowl Champion. With Saquon Barkley casting a wide shadow, Gainwell went elsewhere to pursue a new opportunity.

Gainwell’s Breakout Season

In 2025, Gainwell is breaking out with the Pittsburgh Steelers and provides a new element on offense as a dual-threat running back. Although Warren is still the No. 1 option, he still gets plenty of opportunities to make an impact. 

Early on in the 2025-26 season, Gainwell proved his value in a Week 4 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. After Warren missed the game with an injury, Gainwell was the first option and rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns in the Steelers’ 24-21 victory. He also had six receptions for 35 yards. 

In Week 12 against the Chicago Bears, Gainwell rushed for 92 yards and had 30 receiving yards, including a 56-yard play on fourth-and-1 on a reverse from the Spartan formation. The Steelers ultimately lost to the Bears 31-28, but he proved that he was worth the one-year deal again.