Feb. 14, 2026, 5:08 a.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Steelers have over two dozen players from every phase of the game set to hit free agency next month, and one of these soon-to-be free agents has been linked to the NFC South and AFC West.
Kenneth Gainwell, who was voted the Steelers 2025 MVP and is set to become a free agent in March, was recently connected to the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs by Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport.
“After four seasons as a role player in Philadelphia, Gainwell saw the most action of his career in his first year with the Steelers in 2025,” Davenport wrote. “He had 187 total touches last season, including a team-leading 73 receptions. He eclipsed 1,000 total yards, averaged a career-high 4.7 yards per carry, and found the end zone eight times.
“At just 5’9″ and 200 pounds, Gainwell is on the small side for an every-down back. But more NFL teams than not are using backfield committees now anyway, and he offers teams a versatile player who has proven he can produce and who should be available at a reasonable cost. Potential fits: Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints.”
Davenport wasn’t the first to predict Gainwell leaving Pittsburgh, however, as prominent insider Mark Kaboly also projected the Steelers to lose their talented running back in free agency, potentially opening the door for Kaleb Johnson to take a big Year 2 jump.
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