Aaron Rodgers sounded genuinely amazed late Monday night, not in a dramatic or salesy way. Just honest. After Pittsburgh’s 28–15 win over Miami on December 16, 2025, the Steelers quarterback spoke about value, effort, and timing. And right at the center of it was Kenny Gainwell. Speaking postgame in comments reported by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Rodgers admitted he still cannot wrap his head around how cheaply Pittsburgh landed one of its most dependable weapons.
A-Rod said, “There’s some castoffs if you look at our roster, which makes it really special,” Rodgers said with a grin, adding that he doesn’t consider himself a castoff. “Kenny Gainwell signed a next-to-nothing contract. Connor Heyward, an afterthought, had a touchdown run. Marquez has been on a couple of teams. Adam Thielen got cut. Samuel was on the street for a long time. So says a lot about the character of the guys we brought in.”
💚 Aaron Rodgers has loved Kenny Gainwell since he was on the Eagles & shocked Steelers signed him for next to nothing
“I love playing with him. He’s as smart as they come. I still can not believe what we got him for. I told him a long time ago my goal was to get him paid” pic.twitter.com/YchK3vwFvl
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) December 16, 2025
Aaron Rodgers and Kenny Gainwell Show How Value Still Wins in the NFL
Gainwell did what he has done all season. He showed up, stayed efficient, and made life easier for his quarterback. Against Miami, he ran for 80 yards on 13 carries. He also caught seven passes for 46 yards. Nothing forced. Nothing wasted. When Pittsburgh needed rhythm, he gave it to them.
Then comes the contract part, and that is where Rodgers’ disbelief makes sense. According to Spotrac, Gainwell signed a one-year, $1.79 million deal with the Steelers in March 2025. Only $620,000 was guaranteed. His cap hit sits under $1.8 million, barely noticeable in today’s NFL. For context, that is less than one percent of the Steelers’ total cap.
Meanwhile, production continues to accumulate. Through this season, Gainwell has already posted 451 rushing yards, 332 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns. That is not rotational noise. That is steady, weekly output.
Rodgers did not just talk about game film either. He brought up practice. He mentioned watching Gainwell during simple Friday drills, especially over-the-shoulder catches. The fluidity stood out. The comfort stood out. Those details matter to a quarterback who has played nearly two decades.
Then there is Gainwell’s journey. A fifth-round pick out of Memphis. Four seasons in Philadelphia. No buzz in free agency. Pittsburgh took the call. Then they watched him turn small opportunities into real impact.
Even when the Steelers leaned on short-term signings and depth pieces, Gainwell never looked temporary. He looked trustworthy. Rodgers has already said he wants him paid next. That says more than any stat line.
This was not hype. It was a veteran quarterback recognizing value when he saw it. And on Monday night, Kenny Gainwell made that value impossible to ignore.
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