Kenneth

Gainwell

Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud describes Irving as “the chair” of what looks to be a running back by committee with Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker. We’ll see what the price range settles in at for Irving, but it’s hard to imagine him as a top-40 pick based on the past week of updates. The story quotes OC Zac Robinson as saying, “Shoot, one guy might get this amount the next week. They might end up balanced, feeling the hot hand, and we’ll see where it goes.”

FOX’s Greg Auman adds that he expects Irving to be “full go” when training camp begins. This probably isn’t overly concerning just yet. It was reported that Irving had offseason shoulder surgery after playing through the issue late last year. If Irving’s absence continues to drag on as the team gets to training camp, the Kenneth Gainwell train will begin to gain steam again in 2026.

Gainwell and Irving “can kind of match each other in certain ways with what they can do in the pass game,” Robinson said during a Tuesday press conference. Robinson praised Gainwell’s veteran leadership and professionalism and said he was a key addition to the Tampa offense this offseason after he caught 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns with the Steelers in 2025. Only three running backs — Christian McCaffrey, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Bijan Robinson — had more receptions than Gainwell last season. Irving has been a highly efficient pass catcher during his time with the Bucs. Last year he ranked second in yards after the catch per reception and fifth among backs in yards per catch. While Irving is widely expected to be the team’s nominal lead back, Gainwell could be relevant in PPR leagues this year.

Rachaad White is a free agent and the Bucs chose not to tender Sean Tucker, a restricted free agent, so the team entered free agency without a backup to Bucky Irving. Gainwell will take on that role and a $14 million contract suggests he could earn more than just backup duties. After catching 73 passes for 486 yards and three scores in 2025, Gainwell would be a natural replacement for White’s role as the team’s primary option on passing downs. Bucky Irving should still be in line for the bulk of the carries, but Gainwell could take the PPR floor out from under him.

It’s the first sniff of free agency buzz we’ve gotten on White, which goes to show you how few teams view him as a top-line back. However, DiRocco believes White could fit in as a great screen-pass catcher and could share the workload with incumbent Bhayshul Tuten. Gainwell could also fit into that role. Overall this is a very encouraging report for Tuten’s fantasy value, as it doesn’t seem like the Jaguars want to put a major obstacle ahead of him on the depth chart.

Gainwell doesn’t seem to be a major free-agent priority signing for anybody, but figures to do quite well for himself after putting up 73/486 through the air and amassing 1,000 yards from scrimmage. He figures to be a potential third-down back upgrade for several teams in free agency, though the Steelers remain a great fit for him as he slotted in well behind Jaylen Warren.

Gainwell enjoyed an increased role in Pittsburgh in 2025 as the primary change of pace and clear passing down option behind starter Jaylen Warren, handily setting career highs in rushing yards (537), total touchdowns (eight), receptions (73), and receiving yards (486), marking the first time in his career where he amassed more than 1,000 yards form scrimmage. He also handily returned value at a depressed ADP in fantasy drafts this offseason although his 2026 fantasy outlook remains murky after playing the 2025 season on a one-year, prove-it deal with the Steelers.

Gainwell was able to run in for a short touchdown that gave Pittsburgh a three point lead. Most of his contribution came in the passing game, however, as Aaron Rodgers dinked and dunked the football to the 26-year-old early and often. Gainwell will likely be featured heavily again next week in the passing game, even with DK Metcalf back in the Wild Card Round against the Texans next Monday.

Fantasy managers counting on Gainwell to deliver a championship were left disappointed by Sunday’s results. Gainwell’s three receptions marked his fewest since Week 13, and he was unable to get anything of note going on the ground. Gainwell appeared to be wide open for a walk-in touchdown on the Steelers’ final pass attempt, but was passed up for Marquez Valdes-Scantling on an end zone fade that was broken up. Gainwell should see plenty of involvement in next week’s game against the Ravens.

Gainwell took a backseat to Warren on the ground but was extremely productive through the air. He led the Steelers in all receiving categories and came down with one of the most absurd catches of the year. Gainwell was running down the sideline and was tackled by Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone well before the ball made it to him. Lying on the ground, Gainwell caught the ball, popped up, and sprinted into the end zone. Gainwell now has at least five catches in five of his past six games. As a committee back and a PPR machine, he will hold a spot in the RB3 ranks for Week 17 versus Cleveland.