Earning a victory in the NFL is never simple. It demands more than just talent—it requires a front office willing to build a roster dynamic enough to adjust to any situation, and a coaching staff capable of maximizing every strength it’s given. After several seasons of falling behind the tide, Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers finally decided to stop playing it safe.
They shook up the roster heading into the 2025 season, and one of the most underrated moves of their offseason overhaul is proving to be one of their most important: the acquisition of Kenneth Gainwell.
Call it what you want, but nobody is confusing Arthur Smith’s offense with something “pretty.” If we’re honest, watching this group perform on Sundays has been one of the tougher asks of Steelers fans in recent years.
The scheme has never been known for fireworks, and consistency hasn’t always been its strong suit. But something is different this year. A change in personnel, subtle tweaks in structure, and a deeper stable of skill players have turned an offense that once felt suffocating into something far more bearable—and at times, genuinely effective.
And it’s impossible to overlook the role Kenneth Gainwell has played in that shift.
In his first season wearing the black and gold, the fifth-year veteran has been nothing short of a revelation. Gainwell has quietly become the offense’s hidden X-factor, a do-it-all weapon whose versatility has expanded what Pittsburgh can reasonably ask from its skill players. And truthfully, are we surprised?
The Pittsburgh Steelers cannot forget to feed Kenneth Gainwell
Whether he’s motioning out wide, slipping through arm tackles as a rusher, or turning a checkdown into a chunk play, Gainwell has provided sparks the Steelers didn’t even realize they were missing.
His production speaks for itself.
Through this point in the season, Gainwell has totaled 448 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns. But the stat that jumps off the page is his 255 yards after the catch—a number that highlights exactly why he’s been so valuable. Pittsburgh hasn’t had many natural separators in recent years, and Gainwell’s ability to create offense out of nothing has been a blessing for a unit still working to find its rhythm.
And yet, he remains hidden.
Overshadowed at times by Jaylen Warren’s growing star power, Gainwell doesn’t always feel like he’s on the field as often as fans would like. But in reality, the Steelers have deployed him with near-perfect balance. His snaps keep defenses off-balance while allowing Warren to stay fresh between drives.
It’s a strategic blend—one that maximizes both players without overloading either.
Could Pittsburgh feed Gainwell even more? Absolutely. When a player is performing this efficiently, there’s always an argument for increasing his role. But credit where it’s due: the Steelers have managed their offensive weapons with surprising discipline this year, something fans haven’t always been able to say.
Kenneth Gainwell may not be the headliner. He may not generate national buzz or dominate highlight reels. But make no mistake—his contributions are at the heart of Pittsburgh’s offensive improvement. And if the Steelers continue trending upward, don’t be surprised if the “hidden” X-factor doesn’t stay hidden for much longer.