Baker Mayfield didn’t waste any time making Steelers fans feel the sting of letting Kenneth Gainwell get away.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback had nothing but praise for the running back Pittsburgh just watched walk out the door, and his comments only sharpened the frustration around a move that already looked costly. Mayfield called Gainwell more than a simple change-of-pace piece, saying, “He’s much more than a gadget guy,” and adding, “I have just been completely overwhelmed with the amount of talent he has.”
That’s the kind of endorsement that lands hard in Pittsburgh, because Gainwell was far more than a depth signing last season. The Steelers brought him in on a one-year, $1.79 million deal, and he ended up becoming one of the most productive players on the roster. He finished with 1,023 scrimmage yards and eight offensive touchdowns, while also leading the team with 73 receptions - 14 more than wideout DK Metcalf.
For a Steelers offense that often needed somebody to make something happen, Gainwell became the steady answer. He was the player who kept drives alive, delivered the big play when it was needed, and gave Arthur Smith’s offense a reliable spark. That’s why the decision not to bring him back stands out so sharply now.
Instead of re-signing one of last season’s most useful weapons, Pittsburgh went in another direction. Tampa Bay stepped in and signed Gainwell to a 2-year, $14 million deal with $9.83 million guaranteed.
From the Buccaneers’ side, it was a clear upgrade. From the Steelers’ side, it looks like a miss.
Mayfield made it clear Tampa Bay expects to use him right away. “I thought he has been a huge addition for us and is a spark to give Bucky [Irving] a spell and obviously still have Tuck (Sean Tucker) in there,” Mayfield admitted.
Pittsburgh did make a move to help fill the void, offering Rico Dowdle a 2-year, $12.25 million deal in March. That gives the Steelers another option in the backfield, and Jaylen Warren should also be in line for a heavy workload. But none of that changes what Gainwell meant to last year’s team, or the fact that he now belongs to Tampa Bay.
For Steelers fans, it’s a tough one to swallow. For Mayfield and the Buccaneers, it’s a chance to cash in on a player Pittsburgh already knows was worth more than it got.
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