Kenneth Gainwell led the Steelers in receptions while posting career highs across the board in 2025. Jordan Bank / Getty Images
Running back Kenneth Gainwell agreed Monday to sign a free-agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, league sources told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Gainwell, who turns 27 on March 14, ranked seventh among running backs and 104th overall in The Athletic’s top 150 free agents.
A fifth-round draft pick out of Memphis by Philadelphia in 2021, Gainwell spent the first four seasons of his career with the Eagles. He served as a rotational running back during his tenure and was part of two Super Bowl runs, winning a ring to cap the 2024 season.
Gainwell signed a one-year deal last offseason with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where his role expanded. He posted career highs of 114 carries, 537 rushing yards, 73 receptions, 486 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns in 2025. No other Steelers player reached 60 receptions on the season (DK Metcalf had 59).
In five NFL seasons, Gainwell has rushed for 1,722 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding 175 receptions for 1,207 yards and four touchdowns.
Mar 9, 2026
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