Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell carries the ball against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 21, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers struck gold with running back Kenneth Gainwell last offseason, signing him to a one-year, $1.79 million deal. However, after a breakout year and an expiring contract, how much will it take for the Steelers to retain him?
According to Spotrac, not as much as one may think. Gainwell’s market value is currently set at two years for just $6 million.
Spotrac has Kenny Gainwell’s market value at 2 years for $6 million total. Sign me up
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) February 6, 2026
That is a shockingly low price given the season Gainwell just had. In 2025, he rushed for 537 yards and five touchdowns while also leading Pittsburgh with 73 catches, which amassed to 486 yards and three more scores.
Gainwell was then named the team MVP — an award voted on by his teammates.
“Kenny’s been unbelievable in the passing game. Just unbelievable,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “And he’s so damn smart. I was telling him, ‘I wish I had played with him for 10 years.’ Just because the kind of player that he is. You just love playing with that guy.”
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hands the football off running back Kenneth Gainwell in a game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sep. 14, 2025 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers also paid fellow running back Jaylen Warren last offseason, agreeing to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season. However, they seem to have something special in their new running back duo.
Only time will tell if Gainwell’s market value is correct and will stay the same until the start of free agency, but it’s safe to assume Pittsburgh would do everything it can to expedite the process if it does.
A fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Gainwell has rushed for 1,722 yards and 17 touchdowns and recorded 175 catches for 1,207 yards and four more scores in his professional career.
Mentioned In This Article: Kenneth Gainwell Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers