In the midst of a busy Steelers offseason that saw a number of big names added to the roster bringing serious star power to Pittsburgh, there was one move that flew under the radar at the time and might end up having a big impact this season.
That would be the Steelers’ addition of veteran running back Kenneth Gainwell on a one-year deal.
While Jaylen Warren and rookie Kaleb Johnson are the big names at the Steelers’ running back position, Gainwell is shaping up to potentially be an impact player who moves all over under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
So far in training camp, Gainwell has seen some reps in the backfield, showing off his burst as a runner. He’s also been utilized as a receiver and has even lined up out wide, giving the Steelers a player who can move around and be taken advantage of due to his speed and elusiveness in space.
It’s not something he’s used to or expected upon signing, but Gainwell is enjoying it nonetheless.
“Yeah, that’s a cool piece that we doing, and I’m embracing it. I’m taking it all in,” Gainwell said of the movement offensively, according to video via the Steelers’ YouTube page. “But at the same time, just showing it to A-Rod [Aaron Rodgers] and to Coach Smith about what I can do outside, in the backfield, it’s just a great piece.”
Across his four NFL seasons, Gainwell has primarily lined up in the backfield. In those four seasons with Philadelphia, Gainwell logged 58 snaps in the slot and 126 out wide as a receiving option across 1,024 passing snaps. To date, he has 102 receptions for 721 yards and a touchdown.
Playing behind the likes of Miles Sanders, D’Andre Swift and then Saquon Barkley last season with the Eagles, Gainwell’s opportunity to impact the game was limited. That still might be the case in Pittsburgh, at least from a true running back perspective. But the Steelers are aiming to tap into Gainwell’s versatility and move him around, adding another dynamic offensive weapon.
He didn’t know when he signed with the Steelers that he’d be moving around as much. But now that he’s doing it in camp, he’s all-in on it.
“When I first signed here, I didn’t know anything, but as time has been growing on me and me being here, it’s actually been a good piece of him using it,” Gainwell said of Smith and the ability to move him around.
At 5-9, 200 pounds, he’s not a powerful running back. But the Steelers saw just how dynamic he is in the open field last season in Week 15. In that Eagles’ blowout win In Philadelphia, the Steelers had no real answer for Gainwell. The Memphis product had three receptions for 40 yards and had a highlight-reel spin move in the open field, shaking Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson in the process.
Of course, that was out of the backfield on a simple swing route. But the Steelers saw that and now seem to have grand visions of him doing that all over the place offensively. With Cordarrelle Patterson no longer around to take 44 touches offensively and be that versatile RB/WR combination, Gainwell has an opening to seize a role.
“He’s good. He is good inside the backfield. He is good out of the backfield. He’s a good route runner,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said of Gainwell, according to video via the Steelers’ YouTube page. “He is a good outside zone runner. He’s got a well-rounded game and that’s one of the reasons why we’re excited about acquiring him.”
Gainwell’s a good player. He’ll be wearing a number of hats this season for the Steelers. That could even include returning kicks. Credit to them for trying to find ways to create touches for him. With his ability to create splash plays in space, the Steelers should be tapping into that, turning over every stone to try and score points.
Gainwell’s just a piece of the puzzle the Steelers are trying to solve. Hopefully there’s some excitement ahead.
