Kenneth Gainwell’s breakout game vs. Dolphins proves the Steelers may have wasted valuable selection in most recent NFL Draft
Kenny Gainwell went to work against the Dolphins, proving the Steelers could have invested last year’s third round pick in a different category.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense finally looked like the unit that Pittsburgh’s coaching staff envisioned in the spring on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. DK Metcalf was making plays requisite of a WR making top-five money at the position, Aaron Rodgers was precise and explosive with his arm, and the ground game was rolling.
Only the last part had a bell cow that few saw coming. The thought coming into the season was that Jaylen Warren would start, rookie Kaleb Johnson would push for an increased role heading into the holiday season, and Kenny Gainwell would be a change-of-pace, receiving back. Monday night showed that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Steelers would probably like the Kaleb Johnson pick back following Kenny Gainwell’s breakout
Look, this isn’t to say that Johnson is a bust. However, the Steelers used their second pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on a running back, who is a third-string option and can’t seem to find his way onto the field. Whether it was struggles in camp, a timid preseason, or a brain burp that cost him his kick return spot, it’s been a learning year for Johnson.
And following a game when Gainwell led the Steelers in rushing yards and receptions, that’s unlikely to change. Pittsburgh has its thunder-and-lightning duo in Warren and Gainwell. That third-round pick would have been better served at the cornerback or WR position.
“I mean, it’s really every game. I think the run that he had 38 yards, I believe, on just a simple inside zone. Just his vision, just fun to watch,” said Aaron Rodgers of Gainwell postgame via the Steelers YouTube channel. “You know, I can’t tell you exactly what I call him every week, because there’s some expletives in there, but I love playing with him. I really do. I mean, he is as smart as they come. He is super smart, and I still cannot believe what we got him for.”
“I told him a long time ago my goal was to get him paid because I’ve been a fan of his since he was in Philly, and I thought that every time he’s in the game, something good happens. He is as fluid as anybody on the team [when it comes to] catching [the] football and again, for a guy that’s making (expletive) near vet minimum, he’s been a tremendous asset to our team this year.”
The Steelers found their versatile, cost-friendly running back this offseason. Instead of it being the rookie third-rounder from Iowa, it came via a free-agent acquisition. At only 26 years old and set to hit free agency again, perhaps Gainwell leaves for a bigger payday, and Johnson slides in next year.
But for now, Pittsburgh could have used that third rounder on a different position.
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