Latest news with #KennethGainwell
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers $5 million running back shockingly named breakout candidate for 2025 NFL season
The Pittsburgh Steelers' running back room looks a bit different this season after the departure of Najee Harris and the additions of Kaleb Johnson in the draft and Kenneth Gainwell in free agency. The one member of the group returning from 2024 is Jaylen Warren, who is expected to have a breakout 2025 campaign, according to Bleacher Report's Moe Moton. Advertisement "Unless Johnson looks incredible in training camp and the preseason, Warren figures to get the first crack at being the Steelers' lead ball-carrier. He has never recorded more than 15 carries in a game, but that could change this year," Moton wrote. Though Warren has the path to be the No.1 running back in the Steelers' offense, it's hard to see him having a breakout season. The Steelers used a third-round pick in April's draft on Johnson for a reason, as the Iowa product figures to be the running back of the future and could receive the bulk of the carries for a majority of his rookie campaign. Warren has a ton of promise in the receiving game and should be a nice change of pace back in Arthur Smith's unit. However, Johnson is primed to be the starter, which would make it tough for Warren to post prolific numbers in his fourth season. Advertisement MORE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEWS T.J. Watt receives historic $121 million contract projection amid standoff with Steelers Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers' decline perfectly illustrated in ESPN's annual rankings Steelers predicted to trade for 49ers WR after near-deal for Brandon Aiyuk What could Steelers get in T.J. Watt trade? It might not be as much as you think
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers praised for adding Super Bowl champion to replace Najee Harris
The Pittsburgh Steelers have running back action to fill this season after Najee Harris left for the Los Angeles Chargers. They know they can count on returner Jaylen Warren. And they hope they can count on rookie Kaleb Johnson from Iowa. Advertisement But they also added another RB this offseason: Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell was the Eagles' backup back en route to a Super Bowl championship. SI's Jacob Punturi loves the move. Here's what he had to say: "He didn't sign a one-year contract in Pittsburgh to be the featured back. He's well aware of his role on the Steelers in 2025, and he's well suited to fill it. He can spell Warren or Johnson for a series or a game if needed, and he gives the Steelers' offense confidence that things will continue to run smoothly." MORE: How good was LeBron at football? NBA legend would have been 'one of the best' in NFL Advertisement Gainwell did have 123 all-purpose yards against the Steelers in Week 15, which probably didn't hurt when Pittsburgh was deciding if he was good enough to add. And the championship experience has to be a plus. Gainwell also has a fantastic name for a running back, so the Steelers really couldn't go wrong here. MORE NFL NEWS:
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Steelers RB Room Better Off Without Najee Harris?
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers let Najee Harris walk in free agency this offseason. The former first-round draft choice was a model of consistency in black and gold, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons with the franchise. Even with him gone, Arthur Smith likes what he sees in his revamped stable of ball carriers. The Steelers' offensive coordinator was asked recently if Jaylen Warren, Harris' sidekick the past three years, is the team's clear-cut No. 1 running back heading into the upcoming season. Free agent addition Kenneth Gainwell and rookie third-round draft pick Kaleb Johnson are other guys who figure to make an impact toting the ball. Advertisement 'We've got a lot of weapons back there,' Smith said last week before a mandatory minicamp practice. 'They all got different skill sets, explosive players in a little different way. Just talking about Kaleb, a different style player than Jalen. We added Gainwell. There's a lot of depth in that room. It'll work itself out. We've got a lot of weapons back there, and then how we deploy them, that's what we'll get into at Latrobe. Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell at practice on May 29, 2025 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now 'Then sometimes, if the injuries happen, some guy may have to carry the load a little bit heavier one week or the other. We're really excited about that room.' Warren has picked up 1,674 yards and six touchdowns on the ground since joining the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Gainwell has been in the league one campaign longer than Warren. He's totaled 1,185 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground and adds a dimension as a receiver. Advertisement 'Seeing Jaylen's power, seeing Jaylen's work ethic, that's the same way I take the game,' Gainwell said during OTAs. 'Then bringing KJ along with us, I think it's gonna be a great show.' Johnson focused on his pass protection technique during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. He's a proven rusher, having piled up 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 carries at Iowa last season. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Is Steelers RB Room Better Off Without Najee Harris? Related Headlines
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Daily News & Links: Aaron Rodgers on the Beach in Mailbu; PFF is Down on Steelers RBs
Pittbsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren during an OTAs practice on June 4, 2025. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Steelers Daily News & Links: Your daily stop for all of the news and links. 🏈 Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was spotted alone on the beach in Mailbu on Thursday. 🏈 Pro Football Focus ranked the Steelers' running backs as the 26th-best group in the NFL. Advertisement 'Pittsburgh retained Jaylen Warren despite his career-low 64.3 PFF overall grade last season. He presents a viable option but has never taken on a starting workload in the NFL,' Dalton Wasserman of PFF wrote. 'Former Eagle Kenneth Gainwell also joined the team in free agency, though he's earned a paltry 54.3 PFF overall grade over the past two seasons. 'The brightest ray of hope may be third-round rookie Kaleb Johnson, who earned an 86.7 PFF rushing grade last season and should be a good fit in Arthur Smith's zone run scheme.' 🏈 According to Steel City Star, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth are both still in the top 10 for most career post-season touchdown receptions. They are two of only three players in that top 10 who retired before 2000 (Fred Biletnikoff). They are also the only WR teammates in the top 10 together. 🏈 The Steelers will be making a special announcement next week. Many believe it will be the release of a new Terrible Towel to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its creation. 🏈 A video of Terry Bradshaw complaining about the 'ridiculous' treatment at the airport went viral on social media. 🏈 T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith were tabbed as the best edge rusher duo in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. STEELERS NOW CONTENT FROM JUNE 19 🏈 Adam Schefter Reveals Key Update on Steelers Potential Pursuit of All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey Advertisement 🏈 Seahawks GM Reveals Why DK Metcalf Was Traded to Steelers 🏈 Will Howard Grateful to Be Mentored by Aaron Rodgers: 'He's Been Awesome to Me' 🏈 After Years Behind Bars, Henry Ruggs Eyes NFL Comeback 🏈 Super Bowl Champion QB Thinks Aaron Rodgers Will Flourish with Steelers Due to One Key Reason NEWS FROM AROUND THE SPORTS NOW NETWORK Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Pittsburgh Sports Now: West Virginia Sports Now: Nittany Sports Now: Pittsburgh Soccer Now: ' This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Daily News & Links: Aaron Rodgers on the Beach in Mailbu; PFF is Down on Steelers RBs Advertisement Related Headlines
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kenneth Gainwell Previews Role With Steelers
Kenneth Gainwell Previews Role With Steelers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers recreated their running back room after the departure of Najee Harris this offseason, using three different means of player acquisition. They placed a second-round tender on Jaylen Warren to keep him in the building, signed Kenneth Gainwell to a one-year, $1.79 million deal, and drafted Iowa's Kaleb Johnson in Round 3. Advertisement In doing so, the Steelers have retained a steady hand while injecting youth and versatility into the running back room. Massive improvement on the ground would be a lofty expectation, but Pittsburgh's offense should look different on early downs, especially without a mobile quarterback under center. Warren is set to start, and Johnson will certainly get his chances to earn playing time. Gainwell, though, doesn't yet know what his season will look like. During organized team activities, Gainwell previewed his role in the Steelers' backfield. 'Man, it's been exciting,' Gainwell said, via Chris Adamski. 'Seeing Jaylen's power, seeing Jaylen's work ethic, that's the same way I attack the game. I feel like we can rely off each other real good. And then bringing 'K.J.' on along with us, man, I think it's going to be a great show. So, you know, hopefully, you're all ready for it.' Advertisement Gainwell has generally carved out a role on passing downs, but his versatility has earned him playing time in a smattering of roles. Most importantly, Gainwell has proven himself to be trustworthy. He has just five career fumbles. In two of his four seasons, he didn't cough the ball up at all. Further, Gainwell is the type of addition that reinforces the culture head coach Mike Tomlin is so often lauded for building. His technique is proper, and while he's not a home-run hitter, he's earned his coaches' trust despite continuous turnover in Philadelphia. He'll hope to bring some of what he learned to the other side of the state. 'I'm trying to bring in a winning attitude each and every day,' said Gainwell, a running back who was part of six postseason victories in nine tries with the Eagles since 2021. 'The way I carry myself in a building, the way I come out here on the field and attack the work and just continue to grind each and every day and just bring an attitude of championship winning each and every day. And show these guys that it can be done.' Advertisement Gainwell, with four years of experience and two Super Bowl appearances to his name, has a lot to offer the Pittsburgh backfield, even if it comes in a depth capacity. Related: How Well Does Kaleb Johnson Fit Steelers Offense? Related: One Position Defines Steelers Trading Pickens This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
