Heading into the 2026 offseason, it was clear that defense was the Bucs’ biggest area of need. But as it turned out, the first two moves they made when the NFL’s free agency window opened Monday afternoon came on the offensive side of the ball.
Tampa Bay first re-signed tight end Cade Otton, and now the team has found its replacement for Rachaad White. NFL insider Jordan Schultz, among others, reported that the Bucs have agreed to terms with former Eagles and Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell.
BREAKING: Kenneth Gainwell is signing with the #Bucs on a 2-year, $14M deal, with $10M guaranteed, per sources. Deal done by @WinSportsGroup.
Gainwell, the #Steelers’ team MVP last year, had 1,023 total yards and 8 TDs and is an ascending player as a runner and pass catcher. pic.twitter.com/Isp3uATM53
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 9, 2026
The deal for Gainwell is reportedly for two years and worth $14 million, with $10 million guaranteed.
Kenneth Gainwell Brings More Juice To Bucs’ Backfield
Kenneth Gainwell, who turns 27 on March 14, was initially drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He served in more of a complementary role for Philadelphia between 2021 and 2024 and was a member of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX team in 2024.
Kenneth Gainwell’s stats in Philadelphia (2021-2024):
2021: 16 games (one start), 68 carries, 291 yards (4.3 avg.), 5 TD, 50 targets, 33 catches, 253 yards (7.7 avg.), 1 TD
2022: 17 games (0 starts), 53 carries, 240 yards (4.5 avg.), 4 TD, 29 targets, 23 catches, 169 yards (7.3 avg.), 0 TD
2023: 16 games (two starts), 84 carries, 364 yards (4.3 avg.), 2 TD, 37 targets, 30 catches, 183 yards (6.1 avg.), 0 TD
2024: 17 games (one start), 75 carries, 290 yards (3.9 avg.), 1 TD, 22 targets, 16 catches, 116 yards (7.3 avg.), 0 TD
Bucs RB Kenneth Gainwell – Photo by: IMAGN Images
Gainwell enjoyed a breakout season a year ago in Pittsburgh, where he rushed for 537 yards on 114 carries (4.7 avg.) and five touchdowns in 17 games (two starts). He had a fantastic year as a pass catcher, hauling in 73 passes on 85 targets for 486 yards (6.7 avg.) and three touchdowns.
Not to mention, Gainwell finished the 2025 season with a 69.3 pass block grade, according to PFF, which was actually a step up from Rachaad White’s 58.2.
Gainwell now comes to Tampa Bay to join forces with Bucky Irving. He replaces White, who is set to head elsewhere in free agency after four years with the Bucs. White primarily served as the “2” in the 1-2 punch with Irving over the last two seasons, but now that’s a role Gainwell can play in 2026 and 2027.
Sean Tucker, another standout running back for the Bucs in limited action over the last two seasons, was non-tendered by the team last week. He could still return at a lower price tag, but with the addition of Gainwell, there’s certainly a chance he looks elsewhere in search of more touches.
Bucs RB Kenneth Gainwell – Photo by: IMAGN Images
So, the signing of a veteran in Gainwell — who is coming off a career year as the Steelers’ team MVP — is worthwhile on several fronts for the Bucs. On the one hand, it’s a replacement for White. It’s also insurance if Tucker doesn’t re-sign, and there’s also the fact that Irving had his 2025 season limited by injuries.
Tampa Bay will certainly hope Irving returns to his rookie form, which saw him become the team’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2015. But in the event that Irving doesn’t get back to that same level or deals with injuries again — or if the Bucs simply want to manage his carries — Gainwell should serve as an intriguing complement in the backfield.
Bailey Adams is in his fourth year with Pewter Report. Born and raised in Tampa, he has closely followed the Bucs all his life and has covered them in some capacity since 2016. In addition to his responsibilities as a beat writer, he also contributes to the site as an editor. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2019 and currently co-hosts The Pegasus Podcast, a podcast dedicated to covering UCF Football.
