The Pittsburgh Steelers will need a new running back.
Kenneth Gainwell is leaving town for a big free agent raise.
Gainwell has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
The deal is for a reported two years and $14 million.
Earlier this offseason, ESPN analyzed Gainwell’s free agency and thought it might be tough to get him to return for another season.
“He’s due for a significantly higher salary in 2026 after earning team MVP honors,” ESPN’s Brooke Pryor wrote. “He led the Steelers with 73 receptions and scored eight touchdowns as he split running back duties with Jaylen Warren. Gainwell was an all-purpose threat in Arthur Smith’s scheme, but these Steelers could look a lot different with Mike McCarthy calling plays. The Steelers haven’t typically given big contracts to running backs, and it seems more likely that the former Eagle will get paid elsewhere.”
That proved the correct take.
Gainwell was getting less than $2 million for the Steelers in 2025. He more than triples that for his new salary with the Bucs.
The signing by Tampa Bay signals they’ll be moving on from Rachaad White, and Gainwell will be their secondary back alongside Bucky Irving.
Gainwell proved in Pittsburgh he can excel in a role like that beside Jaylen Warren, and now he’ll take those skills to the Bucs.
Meanwhile, the Steelers need to decide how much they can count on Kaleb Johnson behind Warren on the depth chart, or if they need to pursue their next Gainwell.
