Steelers Have Strong Competition Emerging From NFC Team For Free Agent Kenneth Gainwell

The Pittsburgh Steelers can officially begin setting their sights on free agency next month, now that the new coaching staff has been entirely assembled. There are plenty of players who will eventually join the Steelers, while there are also many players that will leave the team to pursue other opportunities. Some of these players will inevitably be ones the Steelers attempt to keep at a higher priority than others, while some will be allowed to walk out the door with minimal resistance. However, if the Steelers want to keep one of their top performers from the 2025 NFL season, they'll have to contend with plenty of other teams who will surely put in a request for his services.

The player in question is Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell was undoubtedly the best player the Steelers had on offense all year, posting 537 yards of rushing and 486 yards of receiving throughout the course of the season. He was one of the primary methods the offense used to move the chains consistently, along with fellow running back Jaylen Warren. Together, they formed a top running back duo in the entire league. 

What made Gainwell separate himself from Warren in the running back room was his ability to make an impact in the receiving game. Gainwell's presence through the air gave the team another consistent option to gain yards, taking the focus off of the other receivers on the team and allowing them to have standout games throughout the year. 

With how impactful Gainwell was to the Steelers, it would make sense that there would be a market for his services, should he choose to leave Pittsburgh and test the market. He won't get a massive payday like other players are predicted to do, however, there will be plenty of teams that emerge as contenders to sign Gainwell should the Steelers choose to not put forth an effort to keep him. Despite the idea that Gainwell would absolutely welcome a return with the Steelers, there's plenty of temptation there for Gainwell to test the free agent market to see if he could cash in. Some of these teams, in particular, would benefit greatly from his services and may absolutely attempt to give him a contract that would dwarf anything the Steelers could give him.

1.) Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the teams who could make a strong push to acquire Gainwell. The Chiefs' rushing attack last season was inconsistent and downright abysmal at times, leading to their offense becoming one dimensional at times. If they found a way to acquire Gainwell's services, their running game would immediately improve, along with portions of their passing game with how effective Gainwell has been as a receiver for the Steelers. Their entire offense instantly becomes better at a bargain, compared to if they sign other, more notable free agent running backs.

2.) New Orleans Saints

The Saints also make a lot of sense as a team that could attempt to sign Gainwell in free agency. They had virtually no semblance of a rushing offense, with none of their running backs finishing over 500 yards rushing in the 2025 season. With a desperate need to establish a running game to help the development of their young quarterback Tyler Shough, the Saints would be another team well suited to putting in a bit for Gainwell's services. With Gainwell, Shough gets a running back who can make an impact both on the ground and through the air, giving him additional options as the Saints look to build their offense to compete in the NFC South.

Steelers Will Surely Have Even More Competition

The Chiefs and Saints won't be the only teams that inevitably put in a request to Gainwell to see if he would want to play for them, but only time will tell on what Gainwell does. The hope among Steelers fans is that he stays with the team, but with contenders emerging to sign him, hopefully the Steelers will be able to put together an offer for him to keep him here.

Do you think the Steelers will be able to keep Gainwell or will he leave? Let us know in the comments below.

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