The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a one-year contract with RB Kenneth Gainwell, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports.
Sources: The #Steelers are finalizing a 1-year with former #Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell.
Gainwell, who had 1,906 total yards and 13 TDs in four years with Philly, stays in the state of Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/PbyHwb9Ctk
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 12, 2025
Financial terms aren’t currently known. Gainwell spent the past four years with the Philadelphia Eagles, taking a third down and backup role in 2024 behind Saquon Barkley. In 2024, he carried the ball 75 times for 290 yards and one rushing touchdown while chipping in 16 receptions. He also worked on the kick return unit, averaging a solid 25.3-yards per return on 18 attempts.
Kenneth Gainwell did damage against Pittsburgh in their Week 15 win, picking up multiple third down conversions through the air. He finished the game with seven rushes for 20 yards but three receptions for 40 yards.
Kenneth Gainwell against the Steelers #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/QnBOVg58PD
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) March 12, 2025
In four years with the Eagles, Gainwell recorded 280 carries for 1,185 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. He’s also caught 102 passes with one receiving score. While athletic, Gainwell has struggled to produce big plays. On 382 career touches, his longest gain from scrimmage is only 32 yards. This season, his longest rush on 75 attempts was 20 yards.
Here is the career long run for Kenneth Gainwell to date #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/HMYdxfZpt2
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) March 12, 2025
A fifth round pick out of Memphis, Pittsburgh showed interest in him pre-draft, the latest in a long line of free agents the team has circled back to. Gainwell put up big numbers in 2019 at Memphis, rushing for nearly 1,500 yards and 16 total touchdowns. Here’s our scouting report on him.
The Steelers add a “space” player at running back in an effort to give their offense more explosiveness. He helps offset the loss of RB Najee Harris, signing with the Los Angeles Chargers, though Gainwell’s presence alone won’t prevent Pittsburgh from adding a running back in next month’s draft. RB Jaylen Warren was tendered while RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson remains on roster for now.
Gainwell is the second reported free agent to agree to a deal with Pittsburgh, joining former Baltimore Ravens ILB Malik Harrison. CB Darius Slay has reportedly agreed to terms with the Steelers but other reporters have disputed that, saying the two sides haven’t finalized a deal.
