The Steelers' Likely Backup Plan To Fulfill RB Depth Chart Lies In Tampa

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2026 offseason with a glaring hole at the backup running back spot. The team's 2025 MVP, Kenneth Gainwell, is set to be a free agent and wll command a payday. Gainwell will have interest from several teams looking for high-end depth or potentially a starter. The Steelers will look to the NFL Draft and free agency for running back depth if a deal with Gainwell seems out of reach. The Black and Gold could look to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for exciting running back room depth, as two of their running backs are set to test free agency. 

The Steelers' lack of existing depth at the running back position makes them a prime candidate to sign another back in free agency, especially if Gainwell departs. Two pending free agent backs from Tampa should be towards the top of their list. Rachaad White is one of those ball carriers. He is a solid running back who split time with starter Bucky Irving. 

In limited opportunities, White showed out. He put up 572 rushing yards on 132 attempts, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He tacked on four touchdowns on the ground. White has been a threat in the receiving game throughout his career, a skill that Gainwell is known for. In 2024, White had six receiving touchdowns, and in 2023, the running back caught 64 passes for 549 yards and three receiving touchdowns. 

White has made it known that he can be a great receiving threat. This is a huge skill set for Pittsburgh as Gainwell is coming off a season where he led the team in receptions. White could prove to emulate the production that the Steelers would lose if Gainwell takes his talents elsewhere. 

White would fill in for that receiving back type that the Steelers had in Gainwell. While White relies a lot on heavy usage in the run game, he thrives as a receiving option, too. However, there is another former Buccaneer who fits another mold at running back. That is a former Syracuse Orangeman, Sean Tucker. 

General Manager Jason Licht decided not to tender the running back recently. Tucker is only 24 years old and has served as Tampa's third-string running back behind Irving and White. Despite this, he saw the field quite a bit due to injuries in their running back room. 

Tucker proved that he could be a high-volume running back when he put up 106 rushing yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills in 2025. He added two catches for 34 yards, and both those resulted in touchdowns. Tucker proved that when he gets the ball, he can make things happen. 

Tucker would bring a hard-running style. He is super quick and can be a receiving threat at times as well. Tucker is still young and would command a cheaper contract than Gainwell or White. He could be an under-the-radar pickup for Pittsburgh. He put up solid numbers despite being the team's third running back. 

In two seasons, Tucker has amassed 651 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns in limited playing time. If he's given the opportunity, the Steelers could unlock his full potential. Both of these running backs would be very solid additions to Mike McCarthy's offense. The Steelers would benefit from taking a look at these two as potential depth pieces. 

Steelers Need RB Depth 

Pittsburgh lacks solid depth behind their starter, Jaylen Warren, regardless of Gainwell's departure. The team cannot rely on second-year back Kaleb Johnson as a backup just yet. He lacks quality experience, and the team can't put all of their eggs into the Johnson basket when he hasn't produced at the NFL level quite yet. 

The Steelers should look to sign another back to challenge Johnson at the third running back spot. The Steelers would benefit from having a deep running back room in case of injury; it gives them a ton of schematic freedom, too. 

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