Pittsburgh Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell has been named the team’s 2025 MVP. It’s an unexpected outcome from the start of the season when Gainwell was signed to a non-descript one-year deal with an expected backup role. But it’s well-deserved after Gainwell’s career year and multi-facet role as runner, receiver, returner, blocker, and coverage player.
Gainwell was voted on by his teammates for the award.
.@KENNETHGAINWEL was voted the 2025 Team MVP by his teammates ud83dudcaa
ud83dudcdd: https://t.co/7q9PCY521Y pic.twitter.com/loOxeKmxQl
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 2, 2026
Gainwell is Pittsburgh’s first running back to be named MVP since Le’Veon Bell in 2016.