Steelers New Top Offensive Weapon is Clear

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers' best offensive weapon this season will surprise you. With the team entering the season with two new stars, the expectation was that they would lead the Pittsburgh scoring revival.

So far, that hasn't been the case for the Steelers. New starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers and star pass-catcher DK Metcalf have connected on a few big plays, but the offense as a whole is still underperforming.

But one player has continued to stand out and excel. This is how running back Kenneth Gainwell has quietly become a top offensive weapon in Pittsburgh.

Dual Threat

Gainwell's been a consistent force in the Steelers' offense this season, but what's made him so dangerous is how effective he can be in both the running and passing game.

He's carried the ball 80 times so far this season, picking up 371 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He's averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and he's busted open a season-long run of 55 yards.

He's even more dangerous in open space, and that's why they love utilizing him in the passing game. He's the team's second-most targeted receiver this season. Between Rodgers and Mason Rudolph, he's been a security blanket for both Steelers quarterbacks. Gainwell's been targeted 58 times, hauling in 50 receptions for 286 yards and two more touchdowns.

Football playe — Nov 23, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images | Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

YAC God

The shifty Gainwell is so deceptive and quick in the open field, it's led to him accumulating an incredible amount of yards after contact and after the catch.

While he has 371 rushing yards, 146 have come after contact from a defender. The 5'9", 200-pound ball-carrier is often taken for an easy player to bring down, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

In the passing game, he's electric after the catch. His 362 yards after the catch is the sixth-most among all NFL running backs this year, according to data from SumerSports. If you ranked him against this year's wide receivers, he'd have the 11th best YAC in the entire NFL.

The offense in Pittsburgh is reliant on players creating after the ball is in their hands. The scheme struggles to create open players downfield, which makes it imperative that the offensive players be explosive and athletic enough to push the pile forward.

That's exactly what Gainwell does and he's now a dangerous offensive threat in Pittsburgh.

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