Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell carries the ball against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 21, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to have stiff competition for running back Kenneth Gainwell in free agency. NFL insider Dan Graziano recently listed three teams who could swipe Gainwell away from Pittsburgh.
“Teams I expect to see gauge the free agent RB market include the Chiefs, Texans and Giants, among others,” Graziano wrote.
Gainwell was voted as the Steelers’ MVP, posting 1,656 all-purpose yards, which ranked sixth in the AFC. Spotrac tabs Gainwell as having the market value for a two-year, $5.9 million deal.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan provided an update at the NFL Combine on upcoming free agents and their contract situations.
“You know what, I learned a long time ago that we are talking to some of our players, that’s for sure, but to say that some of those deals will get done in the next couple days probably isn’t accurate,” Khan told reporters. “I’ve learned that these things kinda go to the deadline, to the start of free agency, but we’re certainly talking to some of our players.
Gainwell is the biggest upcoming free agent on the Steelers’ roster. Khan assured that they want the dynamic running back to remain in the black and gold.
“Kenny was great to have around, and he knows we want him back, and we’ve been in communication with his people,” Khan said.
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell plays during the team’s Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra put together a list of eight players who could be misvalued in this year’s free agency crop, tapping Gainwell as one of them. If the market isn’t robust, which could be the case give the nature of the running back position, Gainwell returning to Pittsburgh seems likely. The Steelers have plenty of cap space to compensate Gainwell but they’re not going to overpay.
The Steelers’ cap situation is also significantly better than the Texans, Chiefs and Giants.
“Gainwell is coming off a career-best 537 rushing yards with five TDs, while splitting duties with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh,” Patra wrote. “His 47.4% success rate on rush attempts ranked sixth-best among all RBs (min. 100 carries). Gainwell proved his prowess as a receiving back in his first year with the Steelers, generating 486 yards — fifth-most among backs, behind only Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and De’Von Achane — with three scores on 73 catches.
“That dual-threat ability is extremely valuable. However, Gainwell could be overlooked on the open market. The reality that clubs don’t generally want to spend on the RB position and the deep pool of backs ticketed for agency mean Gainwell could get lost in the shuffle.”
Brendan Howe contributed.
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