The Steelers signed RB Kenneth Gainwell to just a $1,790,000 deal, yet it sounds like they have plans for him. While he may wind up returning kicks, they are using him in all different places on offense. Despite being a running back, the Steelers and OC Arthur Smith see him as something more than that. He didn’t get to show that fully with the Eagles, but what about here?
During training camp so far, the Steelers have used Gainwell with some frequency set at the line of scrimmage. But this is second nature to him, or so he said in so many words, speaking to reporters on Saturday.
“I’ve been doing it since I was seven, running routes. It’s just something that I get to display in the NFL on a different level”, Kenneth Gainwell told the media, via the Steelers’ YouTube page. Asked why they are using him that way, he explained, “I think it’s my knowledge of the game and knowing defense and knowing ‘backers’ leverage and stuff like that”.
HC Mike Tomlin is regularly pitting Gainwell against athletic ILB Payton Wilson, testing both against one another. The expectation is that they make each other better in the process, but they’re also learning about each other along the way.
I even have hints that Arthur Smith might have plans for some two-back sets, and a back with Kenneth Gainwell’s skillset would make that much more tempting. While on the smaller side, he can pass protect. But you can also flex him out wide, and he can give you a legitimate route tree out there.
NFL offenses always have examples in which they motion a running back to the line of scrimmage. Few running backs are actually nuanced route runners, however, as they view Gainwell as. And he certainly seems to view himself in the same light.
With Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Warren in the backfield, though, it’s hard to guess his potential snap count. Last year, behind Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Gainwell played 301 snaps. That includes 33 snaps, a season high, in a finale in which Barkley rested.
Over a four-year career, Gainwell has 1,185 rushing yards on 280 carries with 12 touchdowns. He has 102 receptions for 721 yards and one touchdown. Can the Steelers unlock something else in the former Memphis product? Or are we drumming up excitement for a bit player?
After all, it’s hard to ignore who is in front of Gainwell at this point. For years, the conversation had been how to get Jaylen Warren more touches. Now we’re trying to push Kaleb Johnson ahead of Warren as soon as possible. What, then, will be left for Gainwell in an offense with four tight ends?
