Jaylen Warren? Kaleb Johnson? No — Kenneth Gainwell served as RB1 in Steelers opener

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Some fans might have raised eyebrows at how much running back Kenneth Gainwell played in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season opener Sunday.

Even Gainwell himself admitted that when he joined the Steelers via a one-year, $1.79 million contract in March that he did not even envision playing more than half the offensive snaps in his first game for them.

“No, I didn’t,” Gainwell said after Sunday’s 34-32 victory at the New York Jets. “I went into training camp and just came in ready to work each and every day. And sometimes when you work hard, opportunities come your way, so I’m taking advantage of that.”

While much of the fan chatter about the Steelers’ running backs corps over the summer and during training camp revolved around who would play more, Jaylen Warren or Kaleb Johnson, a funny thing happened in the first game of the regular season.

Neither served as the “primary” back against the Jets.

In fact, Warren and Johnson combined for fewer offensive snaps than Gainwell did at MetLife Stadium. Johnson played just two snaps and had one carry, Warren played 25 snaps and Gainwell played 30 — 54% of the Steelers’ total on the day.

Unlike during free agency, this time Gainwell knew he was a significant part of the game plan prior to Sunday’s kickoff.

“I mean, we game plan each and every week,” Gainwell said. “That’s something that the coaches do. So, I mean, yeah, I knew.”

STEELERS FOOTBALL

Fantastic special teams play by Kenneth Gainwell to punch the ball out! pic.twitter.com/hdt7ucPQPj

— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) September 7, 2025

In addition to the game-changing, fourth-quarter forced fumble he had on special teams, Gainwell had seven carries and was targeted four times by Aaron Rodgers passes. Warren had 11 carries and was targeted twice. Gainwell managed 23 yards from scrimmage and Warren 59.

Neither output is seen as enough going forward for the Steelers’ running backs corps. But if nothing else, Sunday’s division of labor showed the level of trust coaches have in Gainwell, a veteran who has played in two Super Bowls and won a ring by way of his Philadelphia Eagles beating the Kansas City Chiefs in January. Gainwell is a good route-runner for a running back and has plenty of experience in pass protection and third-down pass-first situations.

According to pro-football-reference.com, in only five of 66 games Gainwell played for the Eagles did he play more snaps than he did in his Steelers debut.

“I’m just happy I got a chance to get an opportunity to play ball again,” Gainwell said.