The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in the middle of their most important offseason in recent memory. Despite this, though, they haven't done much of anything. The Steelers have only released two veterans so far: Jonnu Smith and Calvin Anderson. As of March 7th, the team has not re-signed any of its designated free agents. Luckily for the Steelers, Kenneth Gainwell is their only free agent who could be considered a must-re-sign. Gainwell broke out in 2025, leading the Steelers in catches, while also scoring eight touchdowns.
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Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.
With Gainwell likely hitting the market, the Kansas City Chiefs and General Manager Brett Veach are now considered a favorite to land the Steelers' MVP. The Chiefs have needed a running back for a long time; they have been cycling through them like crazy. Isiah Pacheco was set to be the Chiefs' next great running back, rushing for 1,765 yards in his first two seasons, but injuries in 2024 and 2025 left him set to be a free agent come March 11th.
Pacheco's injury forced the Chiefs to bring back Kareem Hunt, who has not been close to the player he once was. Hunt led the Chiefs in rushing in 2025 with 611 yards, only 200 more than quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs have been mocked to draft Notre Dame phenom Jeremiyah Love at ninth overall, but they won't stop there. Conor Orr from Sports Illustrated wrote an article about 10 teams and their dream signings.
"Forget about Rico Dowdle, who may be more of a schematic fit for Eric Bieniemy’s rushing offense, Orr wrote. "Gainwell is an excellent pass protector and receiver who could benefit Patrick Mahomes much in the way Jerick McKinnon used to be both a functional bodyguard and third-down ace as a wide receiver."
The Chiefs suffered heavily from a Super Bowl hangover, playing in the game three years in a row. They finished 6-11, which was third in their division, but they still have a good roster, especially the offensive line.
"In watching the Steelers last year, the case could be made that Gainwell was arguably the team’s most clutch offensive player, and while he doesn’t necessarily create mismatches, he is excellent at understanding the symphony of a crowded backfield and how to make himself useful to his quarterback and offensive line," Orr wrote. "As Mahomes continues adjusting to life after Travis Kelce’s elite window, these safety net players are going to become all the more critical."
The Chiefs could certainly use help at the running back position, and Gainwell's 2025 campaign could put him in prime position to work in Kansas City's offense with Mahomes.
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Creed Humphrey with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023.
The Chiefs have a rock-solid interior offensive line led by Creed Humphrey and a rising star at left tackle in Josh Simmons. Gainwell behind that offensive line would be scary. The Chiefs have a diverse run scheme, running a lot of outside zone and sprinkling in gap-scheme runs.
Gainwell is good at both; he can get downhill between the tackles and can also hit the cutback of the zone, but he may be most useful in the pass game, which is where things really get scary. Since Kansas City traded Tyreek Hill, they've changed their offense to more mesh concepts and quicker throws.
That also means incorporating the running back in the pass game. Gainwell is an excellent receiving threat, having 73 catches in 2025. His ability to make people miss after the catch is exactly what the Chiefs need in their backfield.
Steelers Can't Gainwell Leave The Steel City
The Steelers have a good running back in Jaylen Warren, so the idea of letting Gainwell walk isn't outrageous. Warren and Gainwell were an excellent one-two combo, and it would be ideal for the Steelers to keep that. Gainwell will want to be paid reasonably, and that amount is currently unknown.
The Steelers may not want to pay two running backs, which is fair, but this isn't just about what they need; it's about teams around the league. The last thing the Steelers need is for Gainwell to stay in the AFC.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell celebrates after scoring a big touchdown during a road victory over the Detroit Lions.
The Steelers have seen what Gainwell can do firsthand; letting him go to the Chiefs would be a crime. The Chiefs will be without Mahomes to start the season, but with their current draft capital and the roster already established, they could very easily wind back atop their division with a running back room consisting of Gainwell and Love. Let's hope the Steelers get this deal done sooner rather than later. The NFL does not need to see Gainwell and Love in the same backfield.
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