Kenneth Gainwell has wasted no time making himself part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive conversation.
The free-agent addition brings a different kind of threat to the backfield, one that gives offensive coordinator Zac Robinson another reliable pass-catching option. And after Tuesday’s practice, Baker Mayfield made it clear just how much the quarterback has noticed.
Mayfield said he has been "completely overwhelmed" by what Gainwell can do.
That reaction tracks with the way Gainwell is built as a player. Mayfield pointed to Gainwell’s early college days at Memphis, when he was a receiver, as one reason his routes look so "smooth." He also praised the way Gainwell reads blocks and called him a "leader" who can help set the tone on offense.
Tampa Bay didn’t chase the flashiest names in free agency, but the front office did address needs with veterans, and Gainwell fits that plan. He signed a two-year, $14 million deal after a breakout campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
So far in training camp, Robinson has been lining up Bucky Irving and Gainwell together, giving the Buccaneers a look built around speed and versatility. The setup, known as a "pony package" or 21 personnel, gives Mayfield quick answers underneath and in the slot while forcing defenses to sort out two backs who can move.
Gainwell’s value as a receiver showed up in a big way last season. In his lone year with the Steelers and QB Aaron Rodgers, he caught a career-high 73 passes. Rodgers got the ball out fast and leaned on Gainwell as a checkdown outlet, letting him work in space and make defenders miss.
He wasn’t just a receiving piece, either. Gainwell posted career-best rushing numbers as well, finishing with 537 rushing yards and five touchdowns, both NFL-bests, while topping 1,000 total yards for the season.
His best game came in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings, when he ran for 99 yards on 19 carries and scored twice. He also caught all six of his targets for 35 yards as Pittsburgh beat Minnesota 24-21.
Robinson’s willingness to use two backs at once is nothing new. He has done it often over the years with Atlanta, which makes Gainwell look like a natural fit in Tampa Bay’s offense as the secondary option.
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