Feb. 18, 2026, 6:55 a.m. CT

Whether you feel it starts with the big guys blocking up front on the offensive line or the rushers in the backfield, we can all agree the New Orleans Saints run game needs improvement. Being able to lean on them would make life much, much easier for second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. Whether it’s forcing teams to crowd the line of scrimmage or pummeling defenses into exhaustion, a strong run game can put Shough and his receiving corps into favorable situations.

One free agent running back to watch out for is Pittsburgh Steelers breakout Kenneth Gainwell. ESPN’s Matt Bowen argues his best fit is with the Saints:

Given the uncertainty of running back Alvin Kamara’s future in New Orleans, the team could bring in Gainwell. In coach Kellen Moore’s offense, Gainwell can be a change-of-pace runner, and he has the receiving traits to create numbers as an outlet for quarterback Tyler Shough. Gainwell caught a career-high 73 passes and was vital on third downs for Pittsburgh last season.

Gainwell, who turns 27 in March, was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and overlapped with Moore’s staff during the 2024 season. He went to the Steelers as a free agent last spring and rushed for a personal-best 537 yards (at an impressive 4.7 yards per carry) and five touchdowns. As Bowen pointed out, he also stepped up as a receiver and, all told, had 1,023 yards from scrimmage with eight touchdowns.

So Gainwell could be a good pickup. Right now the Saints figure to have Alvin Kamara on top of their depth chart without a clear No. 2 behind him. Audric Estime ran well down the stretch but Devin Neal and Kendre Miller are both returning from injured reserve. In an ideal world, they could find a new leading rusher with game-breaking speed who can take Kamara’s place and push him to the No. 2 spot while the competition sorts itself out behind them. Drafting Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love in the first round would accomplish that, but we can’t assume he’ll be available. If the Saints can sign a dynamic vet like Gainwell in free agency, they could approach the draft and still be open to picking Love or another rusher if the value is right. Either way, their run game would get better.

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