Kenneth Gainwell and Ben Skowronek were two of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest stars on Sunday in their 34-32 Week 1 win over the New York Jets.
Who saw that coming?
Skowronek, mostly a special teams player but also a wide receiver, came to Pittsburgh last season and appeared in 10 games while battling some injuries.
Gainwell is new to town this season, having joined from the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. He, too, plays on special teams in addition to his running back time.
Both were heroes in Sunday’s thrilling win.
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Gainwell’s role was the most surprising. He had 10 touches despite being expected to be the offense’s RB3. Jaylen Warren got 12 touches, and rookie Kaleb Johnson only had one.
Offensively, Skowronek was in blocking on a number of plays. But he had his biggest moment when he reeled in Aaron Rodgers’ first Pittsburgh TD, a 22-yarder.
And then the duo combined on special teams.
Taking part in kick coverage, Gainwell got to the Jets’ return man first and dove in to punch the ball loose. Skowronek fell on it, a crucial turnover and swing of momentum.
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“The wide receiver and special teamer (Skowronek), who was nicknamed “Dirtbag” by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for his affinity for doing the dirty work, caught Rodgers’ first touchdown as a Steeler and was a key part of the momentum-swinging fourth-quarter play to recover a fumble forced by Kenneth Gainwell on kickoff coverage,” wrote ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “The 2021 seventh-round pick by the Rams became fast friends with Rodgers during the offseason, and their connection immediately translated to the field.”
Every good team needs under-the-radar contributors like Gainwell and Skowronek. It’s just that, on Sunday, they put themselves on the very notable radar, and the Steelers needed every bit of their contributions.
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