The Pittsburgh Steelers have chosen their team MVP for the 2025 campaign and it is not quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Instead, it is none other than running back Kenneth Gainwell, the Steelers revealed on Friday.
The honor is well-deserved for Gainwell, who has been one of the team's best players the entire season, even though he entered the 2025 campaign as the No. 2 running back.
Gainwell has posted career-highs in carries (109), rushing yards (527), yards per carry (4.8), receptions (65), receiving yards (422) and total touchdowns (seven) while also coming through with big plays in crucial moments during the season.
Gainwell's most productive game of the season came in Week 4, when the Steelers needed him to step up in place of an injured Jaylen Warren.
The veteran back responded with 19 carries for 99 yards and two touchdowns, and six catches for 35 yards.
In what is an impressive stat for Gainwell but an indictment on the Steelers' receivers, Gainwell has the most catches on the team and could finish with the second-most receiving yards, as he trails tight end Pat Freiermuth by only 13.
For all of that, the Steelers paid just $1.79 million.
"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."
Talk about a high compliment.
There's a lot of uncertainty with the Steelers beyond this season, but one thing we can say for certain is Gainwell should be back in 2026.
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