The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for the 2026 season with Ashton Jeanty leading their running back lineup. However, the depth behind Jeanty is looking a bit thin. With Raheem Mostert and Zamir White heading into free agency, the Raiders are left with Dylan Laube and Chris Collier, who's on a futures deal, as their only other options.
Enter Kenneth Gainwell, the Pittsburgh Steelers' standout running back, who has been linked to the Raiders in recent free-agent predictions. Gainwell's name came up thanks to Bleacher Report's Moe Moton, who highlighted the potential fit with new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak. Kubiak, known for maximizing talent at the running back position, has worked wonders with stars like Kenneth Walker III, Alvin Kamara, and Dalvin Cook in the past.
Gainwell just wrapped up a career year, racking up 537 rushing yards, 486 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns, despite sharing the backfield spotlight with Jaylen Warren, the Steelers' MVP. This performance might make Gainwell a pricier option this offseason, and with Pittsburgh possibly looking to give more opportunities to their 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson, Gainwell could be on the move.
The Raiders could be an ideal landing spot for Gainwell. His versatility as a runner, pass-catcher, and blocker makes him a perfect complement to Jeanty, ensuring there's no significant drop-off when he takes the field. Plus, his experience would be invaluable to the young backfield.
Coach Kubiak's affinity for using multiple backs, as seen with the Seahawks' Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, aligns well with what Gainwell brings to the table. Spotrac projects a two-year, $5.9 million contract for Gainwell, a manageable figure for the Raiders, who have a comfortable $91.5 million in cap space for 2026.
While Gainwell may seek a team that offers a larger role, the Raiders' potential offer could be enticing if other opportunities don't arise. With the right deal, Gainwell might just find himself donning the silver and black next season.