Kenneth Gainwell Previews Role With Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers recreated their running back room after the departure of Najee Harris this offseason, using three different means of player acquisition. They placed a second-round tender on Jaylen Warren to keep him in the building, signed Kenneth Gainwell to a one-year, $1.79 million deal, and drafted Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson in Round 3.

In doing so, the Steelers have retained a steady hand while injecting youth and versatility into the running back room. Massive improvement on the ground would be a lofty expectation, but Pittsburgh’s offense should look different on early downs, especially without a mobile quarterback under center.

Warren is set to start, and Johnson will certainly get his chances to earn playing time. Gainwell, though, doesn’t yet know what his season will look like.

During organized team activities, Gainwell previewed his role in the Steelers’ backfield.

“Man, it’s been exciting,” Gainwell said, via Chris Adamski. “Seeing Jaylen’s power, seeing Jaylen’s work ethic, that’s the same way I attack the game. I feel like we can rely off each other real good. And then bringing ‘K.J.’ on along with us, man, I think it’s going to be a great show. So, you know, hopefully, you’re all ready for it.”

Gainwell has generally carved out a role on passing downs, but his versatility has earned him playing time in a smattering of roles. Most importantly, Gainwell has proven himself to be trustworthy. He has just five career fumbles. In two of his four seasons, he didn’t cough the ball up at all.

Further, Gainwell is the type of addition that reinforces the culture head coach Mike Tomlin is so often lauded for building. His technique is proper, and while he’s not a home-run hitter, he’s earned his coaches’ trust despite continuous turnover in Philadelphia.

He’ll hope to bring some of what he learned to the other side of the state.

“I’m trying to bring in a winning attitude each and every day,” said Gainwell, a running back who was part of six postseason victories in nine tries with the Eagles since 2021. “The way I carry myself in a building, the way I come out here on the field and attack the work and just continue to grind each and every day and just bring an attitude of championship winning each and every day. And show these guys that it can be done.”

Gainwell, with four years of experience and two Super Bowl appearances to his name, has a lot to offer the Pittsburgh backfield, even if it comes in a depth capacity.