Kenneth Gainwell's Steelers future gets bleak outlook ahead of NFL free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Kenneth Gainwell was one of the more pleasant surprises around the NFL in 2025.
After signing a one-year, $1.79 million contract in free agency, Gainwell went on to be one of the Steelers' more reliable playmakers en route to a career-best season and a team MVP nod.
But now Gainwell is set to be a free agent in 2026 and he is most definitely deserving of a raise.
While the Steelers are likely to want to bring Gainwell back, ESPN's Brooke Pryor thinks it's "more likely" that he's playing elsewhere in 2026.
Pryor cites the Steelers' history of not giving out big contracts to running backs and the change at head coach to Mike McCarthy, who will be calling plays in 2026.
"Gainwell was an all-purpose threat in Arthur Smith's scheme, but these Steelers could look a lot different with Mike McCarthy calling plays. The Steelers haven't typically given big contracts to running backs, and it seems more likely that the former Eagle will get paid elsewhere," Pryor explained.
We would push back on Gainwell's next contract being "big," so we don't quite agree with Pryor's reasoning there.
Sure, Gainwell is going to get a raise, but nobody is going to be backing up the Brinks truck for a back who is best suited in a complementary role.
We believe Spotrac's projection of a two-year, $5.9 million deal is in line with what Gainwell can expect, and that's very doable for Pittsburgh and not a ton of money for a 1B option in a backfield that also includes Jaylen Warren.
The bigger obstacle is the new head coach.
It's very possible McCarthy might not see Gainwell as the best back for his offense, in which case the Steelers could go in a different direction.
On a side note, we'd keep an eye on Rico Dowdle, who thrived under McCarthy when they were together with the Dallas Cowboys.
Had former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stayed, we would have been much higher on Gainwell remaining in Pittsburgh. But with McCarthy in the mix, Gainwell's future with the Steelers is very much up in the air.
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