Bold statement: The Steelers may soon bid farewell to a franchise MVP, Kenneth Gainwell, as he tests the free-agent market. And this is the part fans will want to watch closely...
The Steelers could be losing their 2025 team MVP. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, running back Kenneth Gainwell plans to explore free agency once his one-year contract with the Steelers expires next week. This move comes after Gainwell completed a year that suggested his value is rising in the wider market, and his agents likely have a clear read on what lies ahead post-combine.
Gainwell arrived in Pittsburgh on a modest one-year deal worth $1.79 million, proving to be a strong bargain for the Steelers. In the 2025 season, he posted a career-best 537 rushing yards, a career-high 486 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns. He appeared in 17 games, though he started only two, illustrating his role as a versatile contributor off the bench and in sub-packages.
If Gainwell departs, he would become the first Steelers MVP to leave in free agency since 1996, when quarterback Neil O’Donnell defected to the Jets. That bit of history underscores how unusual it would be for a team’s most valuable player to exit via free agency rather than through a trade or retirement.
Whether Gainwell will attract a substantial, league-wide offer remains to be seen. Given the current running back market and the Steelers’ financial realities, the team could pursue a veteran back on a one-year arrangement similar to Gainwell’s previous deal. The NFL’s running back climate often favors short, prove-it contracts for productive players, so Pittsburgh could effectively replacement-plan with another veteran on a comparable terms if Gainwell signs elsewhere.
