The Steelers and running back Kenneth Gainwell have agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.79-million contract. Only $620,000 is guaranteed.
Gainwell, 25, was a fifth-round pick by the Eagles in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Memphis. He's spent all four of his NFL seasons in Philadelphia, playing in 66 games. With the Eagles, Gainwell has carried the ball 280 times for 1,185 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's also hauled in 102 passes for 721 yards and one touchdown, providing dual-threat capabilities out of the backfield.
In coming to the Steelers, Gainwell is reunited with Calvin Austin III, as the two were teammates at Memphis. Austin was drafted one year after Gainwell.
Gainwell's rookie contract had expired at the end of the 2024 season, so signing him will negate one of the compensatory picks the Steelers are currently projected to receive due to six free agents signing with other teams. Even so, as it currently stands, they'd still receive four compensatory picks, the maximum any team can receive.
Adding Gainwell to the running back mix certainly gives Arthur Smith another running back similar to Jaylen Warren, as both can be a good fit in a wide zone system. Gainwell is reliable enough in pass protection and as a receiver to fill in on third downs, plus he can help in the return game, if needed. Last season, Gainwell returned 18 kicks and averaged 25.3 yards with a long of 36 yards.
I still wouldn't rule out the likelihood of the Steelers drafting a running back this year, or cutting Cordarrelle Patterson. This is a very affordable contract. More like a third running back's salary, not somebody who's going to take a lot of carries away from Warren.
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Chris Halicke
1:26 am - 03.12.2025DowntownGainwell added to running back mix
The Steelers and running back Kenneth Gainwell have agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.79-million contract. Only $620,000 is guaranteed.
Gainwell, 25, was a fifth-round pick by the Eagles in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Memphis. He's spent all four of his NFL seasons in Philadelphia, playing in 66 games. With the Eagles, Gainwell has carried the ball 280 times for 1,185 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's also hauled in 102 passes for 721 yards and one touchdown, providing dual-threat capabilities out of the backfield.
In coming to the Steelers, Gainwell is reunited with Calvin Austin III, as the two were teammates at Memphis. Austin was drafted one year after Gainwell.
Gainwell's rookie contract had expired at the end of the 2024 season, so signing him will negate one of the compensatory picks the Steelers are currently projected to receive due to six free agents signing with other teams. Even so, as it currently stands, they'd still receive four compensatory picks, the maximum any team can receive.
Adding Gainwell to the running back mix certainly gives Arthur Smith another running back similar to Jaylen Warren, as both can be a good fit in a wide zone system. Gainwell is reliable enough in pass protection and as a receiver to fill in on third downs, plus he can help in the return game, if needed. Last season, Gainwell returned 18 kicks and averaged 25.3 yards with a long of 36 yards.
I still wouldn't rule out the likelihood of the Steelers drafting a running back this year, or cutting Cordarrelle Patterson. This is a very affordable contract. More like a third running back's salary, not somebody who's going to take a lot of carries away from Warren.
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