Price Point For Steelers To Keep Kenneth Gainwell Officially Disclosed

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering into a completely different look now that Mike Tomlin is no longer in charge. New head coach Mike McCarthy has been working diligently to fill out his staff with highly valued assistants, reshaping the organization from the ground up. Many Steelers fans weren’t thrilled with the hire at first, but as the coaching staff has taken shape, optimism has slowly started to build. There’s a growing sense that this new regime may bring a fresh identity and renewed direction to Pittsburgh football.

Of course, free agency is going to generate plenty of excitement, as it will give Steeler Nation a much clearer picture of what the McCarthy tenure is going to look like in its early stages. One of the most intriguing storylines centers on running back Kenneth Gainwell, who signed a one-year, $1.79 million contract to join Pittsburgh for the 2025 season. Few predicted the impact he would make, but Gainwell went on to have a breakout year, scoring five rushing touchdowns while carrying the ball 114 times for 537 yards.

Gainwell also proved to be a major asset in the passing game, hauling in 73 catches for 486 receiving yards and adding three more touchdowns through the air. He emerged as one of the Steelers’ best and most reliable offensive weapons, making his current free agent status a major talking point this offseason. 

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly recently shared a social media post that gave fans a clearer idea of what it may cost to bring Gainwell back, offering a sharper picture of his potential future in the Steel City.

Aaron Rodgers never shied away from talking about how good he felt the Steelers’ backfield was with Gainwell and Jaylen Warren. Gainwell wasn’t really expected to step into the role he ended up having, but he did an excellent job once given the opportunity. Rodgers even said he wanted to see Gainwell get paid, believing he deserved a blank check for his performance during the 2025 season.

Spotrac has listed Gainwell’s market value as a two-year deal worth $5,922,504, which averages out to an annual salary of $2,961,252. While that would be a raise for Gainwell, many expected his market price to come in a bit higher. Still, that figure would be a great value for Pittsburgh, and if the market holds true to Spotrac’s projection, the Steelers may be able to keep Gainwell without breaking the bank after all.

For comparison, other running backs like Jordan Mason earned a two-year, $10.5 million deal, which is closer to where many pundits assumed Gainwell’s contract might land. Being able to bring Gainwell back alongside Warren at a lower price would be a major win in the McCarthy era. 

With all the new hires and changes taking place, it’s going to be fascinating to see how this Steelers team looks when the 2026 regular season kicks off.

Steelers Could Get Much-Needed Continuity At RB In 2026

Retaining Gainwell would give the Steelers much-needed continuity on offense as they transition into a new era under McCarthy. His versatility as both a runner and receiver makes him an ideal fit for a modern offensive scheme, especially alongside Warren’s physical running style. 

If Pittsburgh can bring him back on a team-friendly deal, it would send a strong message about building smartly rather than overspending, setting the foundation for long-term success moving forward. Of course many Steelers fans would be ok with giving Gainwell a blank check after watching the catch he made against the Detroit Lions.

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