The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to win the AFC North last season on the back of a resurgent year from four-time NFL MVP and former Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately for the Steelers, the season ended with another playoff failure, extending the franchise\u2019s drought of playoff wins to a full decade.<\/p>\n
Mike Tomlin stepped down as the team\u2019s head coach after 19 seasons following Pittsburgh\u2019s Wild Card round loss, and the team hired Rodgers former head coach, Mike McCarthy, as his replacement.<\/p>\n
Now, Rodgers faces a decision on whether to return to the Steelers, retire, or sign with the Steelers. Retirement or a return to Pittsburgh are the most likely options. Unfortunately for Rodgers, there was speculation that one of his favorite teammates in the offensive backfield would leave the city in free agency.<\/p>\n
That outcome has now been confirmed.<\/p>\n
The #Bucs<\/a> are signing former #Steelers<\/a> RB Kenneth Gainwell to a 2-year, $14M deal.<\/p>\n \u2014 Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Rodgers had nothing but the highest praise for Gainwell during the season.<\/p>\n \u201cJust fun to watch. I can\u2019t tell you exactly what I call him every week because there\u2019s some expletives in there, but I love playing with him. I really do. He\u2019s as smart as they come. He\u2019s super smart, and I still cannot believe what we got him for,\u201d Rodgers said during the season, per Yahoo Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI told him a long time ago that my goal was to get him paid because I\u2019ve been a fan of his since he was in Philly and I thought every time he went in the game something good happens. So just to be able to play with him, the type of guy he is, man, I can\u2019t say enough good things about Kenny. Every single game it seems like he comes up with impactful plays and makes guys miss, catches the ball.<\/p>\n \u201cI was telling \u2013 who was I telling? I think Marquez [Marquez Valdes Scantling] on the sideline. One of the most impressive things is to watch us on Friday\u2019s practice just do pat-and-go drill, which is just an over-the-shoulder drill. He\u2019s as fluid as anybody on the team catching the football. For a guy that\u2019s making damn near vet minimum, he\u2019s been a tremendous asset to our team this year.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019ll be interesting to see how the loss of Gainwell impacts a Rodgers return to the Steel City.<\/p>\n \t