Steelers' Dilemma: Can They Retain Kenneth Gainwell?
Kenneth Gainwell turned heads this season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, leveraging a one-year prove-it deal to showcase his talents. As free agency looms, the big question is whether the Steelers can afford to keep him on their roster.
NFL.com's Kevin Patra highlighted Gainwell as one of eight players who might be undervalued in this year's free agency market. Gainwell's performance was nothing short of impressive, posting a career-high 537 rushing yards and five touchdowns while sharing the backfield with Jaylen Warren.
His 47.4% success rate on rush attempts ranked sixth among running backs with at least 100 carries. Gainwell also made waves as a receiving back, amassing 486 yards-fifth among backs-trailing only stars like Christian McCaffrey and Bijan Robinson, with three touchdowns on 73 receptions.
Gainwell's contributions didn't go unnoticed, as he was voted the Steelers' MVP, racking up 1,656 all-purpose yards, placing him sixth in the AFC. According to Spotrac, Gainwell's market value stands at a two-year, $5.9 million deal.
Patra noted the dual-threat capability Gainwell brings is highly valuable. However, with the general reluctance of teams to splurge on running backs and a crowded free-agent market, Gainwell might be overlooked.
Comparatively, other running backs like Breece Hall of the New York Jets and Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks have higher projected market values, with Gainwell's average annual value at $2.9 million.
Jaylen Warren praised Gainwell, stating, "He’s everything you want in a player," and emphasized the team's desire to retain him.
Alongside Gainwell, Patra also pointed out players like Atlanta Falcons' edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie and linebackers Nakobe Dean of the Philadelphia Eagles and Leo Chenal of the Kansas City Chiefs as potential undervalued assets in the market.
As the Steelers contemplate their next move, the decision on Gainwell could significantly impact their roster dynamics heading into the next season.