The Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquired free agent running back Kenneth Gainwell to bolster their 2026 football offense following the departure of Rachaad White. Gainwell will join Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker in Tampa, giving the Buccaneers another option in the running and passing games. He also brings a presence on third down.
Gainwell has appeared in 83 career games between the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers, making six starts. He has totaled 394 career rushes for 1,722 yards, an average of 4.4 yards per carry, and 17 rushing touchdowns. He also has 175 career receptions for 1,207 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Kenneth Gainwell Set Career Highs With Pittsburgh Steelers
After signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, Gainwell produced career highs in rush attempts, rushing yards, receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He recorded 114 rush attempts, 537 rushing yards, 73 receptions, 486 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. His five rushing touchdowns tied his career high.
Gainwell was one of five NFL running backs to record at least 500 rushing yards and 450 receiving yards during the 2025 season. De’Von Achane, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey and Bijan Robinson also reached those marks. Gainwell’s teammates voted him the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 Most Valuable Player.
Gainwell Adds Running and Receiving Ability
Gainwell is a change-of-direction runner with crisp footwork and the ability to alter his rush track. His open-field ability and run-after-catch skill helped elevate the Pittsburgh Steelers’ screen game in 2025. He also can extend outside his frame to make difficult catches and bounce off angle tackles.
His pass-protection ability allows him to stay on the field without giving the defense a tell. Gainwell naturally allows run concepts to develop in front of him and is expected to help bolster wide-zone runs in Zac Robinson’s 2026 offensive arsenal. He also gives Baker Mayfield another target in the passing game and can contribute as a receiver out of the slot.
Gainwell adds another dimension to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense as both a runner and receiver. His acquisition gives the team another back alongside Irving and Tucker after White’s departure. The move is expected to expand the Buccaneers’ options in the 2026 offense.
Source: Original report