Buccaneers running back Kenneth Gainwell is coming off a breakout campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.
The fifth-year veteran posted career highs with 537 rushing yards, 486 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns in 2025.
“I think it opened up a couple of people’s eyes just to see what I really can do,” Gainwell said during his introductory press conference with the Buccaneers. “Me going out there to do all I can on the field basically just proved what I can do and what I have been doing all of my career. Even if it has been hidden, it’s now coming to the light.”
Running back Kenneth Gainwell, the X-Factor for Tampa Bay’s Offense
Gainwell’s breakout season earned him a two-year, $14 million contract with Tampa Bay.
His strong campaign came during his first and only season with the Steelers. Gainwell signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Eagles. During his time in Philadelphia, he averaged just 296 rushing yards and 180 receiving yards per season.
Tampa Bay hopes Gainwell can continue that elevated production as he heads south.
The Buccaneers’ rushing offense was lackluster last season, averaging just 114 rushing yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry, which ranked 22nd and 26th in the NFL, respectively.
Gainwell replaces Rachaad White, who signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders this offseason after spending the first four years of his career in Tampa Bay.
White rushed for 572 yards and averaged 4.3 yards per carry last season. His role changed frequently throughout the year. White began the season as the Buccaneers’ third-down back, with Bucky Irving serving as Tampa Bay’s primary ball carrier. However, when Irving missed seven games because of injury, White was forced into several different roles throughout the season.
How running back Kenneth Gainwell fits into Tampa Bay’s offense
While Gainwell averaged 4.7 yards per carry last season — a better mark than White, Irving, or Tampa Bay’s RB3, Sean Tucker — the biggest boost he may provide the Buccaneers could come through the passing game.
Gainwell ranked fourth among NFL running backs and led the Steelers with 73 receptions last season. His 486 receiving yards ranked fifth among running backs in 2025. By comparison, Tampa Bay’s trio of running backs combined for 529 receiving yards last season.
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers raved about his favorite target last season.
“Kenny’s been unbelievable in the passing game. Just unbelievable. And he’s so damn smart. I was telling him, ‘I wish I had played with him for 10 years.’ Just because of the kind of player that he is. You just love playing with that guy,” Rodgers said following Pittsburgh’s Week 16 victory over the Detroit Lions, a game in which Gainwell showcased his receiving ability with an acrobatic, sprawling catch that resulted in a 46-yard touchdown.
Kenneth Gainwell with an improbable touchdown. pic.twitter.com/8OuDhUMHb1
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 21, 2025
Gainwell should fit well in the new Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson’s scheme. Robinson helped Bijan Robinson post career highs as a receiver last season with 79 receptions and 820 receiving yards. Robinson was one of the few pass-catching running backs who produced more than Gainwell, ranking second among running backs in receiving yards behind only Christian McCaffrey.
Gainwell’s versatility should complement Irving well. Irving rushed for 1,122 yards in 2024 while appearing in all 17 games. He is looking to return to his role as Tampa Bay’s workhorse back, but he has not yet been cleared to participate in the team’s offseason workouts because of lingering effects from foot and shoulder injuries suffered last season.
The uncertainty surrounding Irving’s health, the arrival of Zac Robinson’s new offensive scheme, and Gainwell’s breakout season all point to running back Kenneth Gainwell playing an integral role in Tampa Bay’s offense in 2026.
