Steelers Have Access To Best Running Back In The League Saquon Barkley's Mindset Thanks To Free Agency Signing

The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for valuing grit, toughness, and players who do the little things right. That’s what made Kenneth Gainwell’s arrival in the 2025 offseason so intriguing. While many fans are laser-focused on the roles of Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Warren, Gainwell’s presence has started to turn heads in Latrobe not because of highlight plays, but because of how he carries himself.

When Gainwell spoke with the media at Steelers training camp on Friday, he detailed via 93.7 The Fan what he learned from Saquon Barkley from his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. It was clear he didn’t show up just to compete for touches.

“Learning a lot from him, just off the field things and what I needed to be doing in the back field or protection, eyes, our feet. He’s just a great role model at that. Here, it’s just the same thing, just trying to bring the same energy here.”

He’s referring to Barkley, his former teammate in Philadelphia, but this quote isn’t just about paying respect. It’s a peek into what Gainwell brings to this Steelers' locker room: maturity, routine, and a certain standard that doesn’t always show up on tape, but shows up in trust.

Johnson and Warren will take the bulk of the reps. That’s not in question. What is in question is how this offense functions when things get messy: third downs, blitz pickups, and moments when composure matters more than burst. 

That’s where Gainwell’s message becomes important. When he talks about “eyes” and “feet,” he’s referencing the details coaches drill constantly. Knowing where the pressure’s coming from, adjusting based on coverage, hitting landmarks in pass protection are all critical pieces to what Arthur Smith is installing.

It’s also no accident that Gainwell mentions “energy.” That’s not just about effort; it’s about presence. Barkley’s energy in Philly went beyond the huddle. He set a tempo in film study, meetings, and walkthroughs. Now, Gainwell’s aiming to replicate that in Pittsburgh. Not in Barkley’s shadow, but in his own style. He knows he’s not in the Steel City to be a headline. He’s present to be reliable, accountable, and polished in areas that win trust.

Training camp often favors splash over substance, a running back who hurdles a linebacker will trend on social media. A running back who nails a blitz pickup doesn’t, but inside the building, coaches see both. And Gainwell’s already earning quiet praise for the latter. It’s easy to assume Gainwell is just another back in the room, but he’s got meaningful experience in high-leverage situations playoff games, red zone sets, third-down protections. 

That’s the kind of background that brings value when the season gets long. Also with the offensive coordinator expected to lean on a physical, clock-controlling run game, having someone who understands how to slow the game down is a real asset. 

Gainwell doesn’t need to carry the ball ten times a game to matter. His voice in the running back room, his preparation, and his ability to translate Barkley’s approach to Pittsburgh’s system could make a real impact even if it never shows up in the box score.

Steelers Will Benefit From Players Like Gainwell

There’s a reason Mike Tomlin loves players who connect the locker room, absorb coaching, and sharpen others by example. Gainwell fits that mold. He’s not flashy, and he’s not present to stir controversy. He’s here to elevate the room, even if it’s just by a few inches. For a team that has struggled to string together offensive consistency in recent seasons, sometimes it’s the low-profile additions that quietly raise the floor.

Can Gainwell’s mindset and experience make a difference in 2025, even without the touches? Let us know in the comments!

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