Kenneth Gainwell, Bucs Agree to Contract in 2026 NFL Free Agency Amid Mike Evans Rumors

Running back Kenneth Gainwell is leaving Pittsburgh after a career-best 2025 season with the Steelers.

Gainwell agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Monday.

The news comes amid uncertainty as to whether legendary Bucs receiver Mike Evans will return to Tampa Bay after testing free agency.

Gainwell will turn 27 later this month. He hit unrestricted free agency after the expiration of the one-year, $1.79 million contract he signed with the Steelers last offseason.

The Steelers were originally expected to run with rookie running back Kaleb Johnson as RB2 behind Jaylen Warren, but Gainwell ultimately won the spot before the start of the regular season.

That setup allowed Gainwell to record career highs in carries (114) and rushing yards (537) while tying a career high with five rushing touchdowns.

Gainwell will now look to build on that season with the Buccaneers, where he will likely be splitting the backfield with Bucky Irving.

The Steelers could plan to give Johnson more playing time in his second NFL campaign after the 2025 third-round pick saw limited playing time in 10 games last season.

Originally a fifth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2021 draft, Gainwell played four seasons with the Eagles prior to the expiration of his rookie contract.

He appeared in all four playoff games during the Eagles' run to a Super Bowl LX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs last winter.

Gainwell will now head into his sixth NFL season having totaled 1,722 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns through 83 regular-season games, as well as 252 yards and one touchdown in 10 playoff appearances.