Gainwell is signing a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers on Monday, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gainwell's contract reportedly includes $10 million in guarantees, positioning him as the clear No. 2 backfield option alongside Bucky Irving and foreshadowing the departure of Rachaad White from Tampa Bay in free agency and potentially also Sean Tucker. After the versatility and efficiency Gainwell demonstrated during his career year with the Steelers in 2025 in which he emerged as one of the most productive pass-catching backs in the NFL with a 73-486-3 line on 85 targets, he projects as an ideal complement to Irving's physical, bruising rushing style. Gainwell also logged 537 yards and five touchdowns on 147 carries (4.7 YPC) across his 17 regular-season appearances in 2025. Especially in fantasy formats that feature PPR scoring, Gainwell's landing spot is one with a solid floor and the potential for increased touchdown upside.

Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan said Tuesday that the team has been in communication with Gainwell, an impending free agent, and hopes to re-sign him for the 2026 season, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gainwell earned internal team MVP honors after playing out the 2025 campaign on a one-year deal with the Steelers and totaling a career-best 537 rushing yards and five touchdowns (147 carries) while suiting up for all 17 regular-season games. He added a career-high 73 catches for 486 yards (85 targets) and another three scores through the air. Given the versatility and efficiency Gainwell demonstrated in 2025, it will be no surprise if Pittsburgh indeed prioritizes inking him to an extension before he hits unrestricted free agency. Jaylen Warren remains under contract through the 2027 campaign, though the Steelers have a potential 'out' in his contract this offseason.

Gainwell rushed six times for 20 yards and brought in four of six targets for 26 yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night. He also returned four kickoffs for 100 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Gainwell filled a complementary role on the ground, logging half the amount of carries as Jaylen Warren. The versatile Gainwell also had a key role in the passing game, recording a team-high reception tally while also tying for the lead in targets. He made his presence felt on kickoff returns as well, following up what was a successful Steelers debut campaign. The veteran rushed for a career-best 537 yards and career-high-tying five touchdowns at 4.7 yards per carry, adding a career-best 73-486-3 line on 85 targets, 633 kickoff-return yards and two fumbles (one lost) across 17 games. While Gainwell played 2025 on a one-year deal, his success could lead to the Steelers making an effort to retain him before he hits unrestricted free agency.

Gainwell took five carries for 10 yards and a touchdown while adding eight receptions on nine targets for 64 yards in Sunday's 26-24 win over Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

Starter Jaylen Warren (14-66-0) continued to lead Pittsburgh's rushing attack, but it was Gainwell who produced the superior fantasy score after vulturing a rushing touchdown while also leading the team in receiving Sunday. The veteran backup emerged as a legitimate threat out of the backfield in 2025 after setting new high-water marks in receptions (84), receiving yards (486) and total touchdowns (eight). Gainwell should remain productive in DFS formats that award points for receptions when the Steelers take on the Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs next Monday.

Gainwell rushed the ball seven times for 26 yards in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns. He added three receptions on four targets for 12 yards.

EDGE Analysis

The entire Steelers' offense was inefficient, and Gainwell's production similarly suffered. Positively, he maintained his role as Pittsburgh's primary pass catcher out of the backfield and ended the game with only two touches fewer than Jaylen Warren. However, Gainwell was held to his fewest yards from scrimmage since Week 10 heading into a pivotal Week 18 showdown with the Ravens that will decide the AFC North.

Gainwell rushed the ball nine times for 50 yards in Sunday's 29-24 win over the Lions. He added five receptions on seven targets for 78 yards and a touchdown.

EDGE Analysis

Gainwell maintained his key role as a pass catcher in the Pittsburgh offense, finishing second on the team with seven targets. The Lions did a good job containing him for most of the game, though Gainwell managed an improbable 45-yard touchdown grab just before the end of the first half when he made the initial catch from the ground before popping up without being touched to reach the end zone. While overshadowed by Jaylen Warren on the ground, Gainwell also chipped in a long rush of 18 yards to help him reach 100 yards from scrimmage for the third time in his last five games. He's also reached the end zone twice in that span.

Gainwell took 13 carries for 80 yards and caught all seven of his targets for 46 yards in Monday's 28-15 win over the Dolphins.

EDGE Analysis

Gainwell surprised national viewers by finishing Monday Night Football as the game's leading rusher ahead of Miami's De'Von Achane (12-60-0). The 26-year-old Gainwell reached double-digit carries for just the third time this season, with Week 15's surplus coming at the expense of starter Jaylen Warren (12-33-0), who was playing through an illness. Gainwell's rushing production is too volatile to rely on consistently in standard fantasy formats, but his 4.1 catches per game make him a viable PPR option for Sunday's tilt against the Lions.

Gainwell rushed the ball four times for 15 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens. He added six receptions on seven targets for 27 yards.

EDGE Analysis

The Steelers continued their recent pattern of work in the backfield, with Jaylen Warren serving as the traditional lead back and Gainwell mixing in primarily on passing downs. Despite that, Gainwell made his biggest impact on a six-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter -- his first rushing score since Week 4. While he was ineffective as a receiver, Gainwell now has at least six catches in three of his last four games.

Gainwell rushed the ball five times for 20 yards in Sunday's 26-7 loss to the Bills. He added two receptions on three targets for 25 yards.

EDGE Analysis

The Steelers played from behind for the entire second half, which should have benefited Gainwell in his role as the primary pass catcher out of the backfield. However, Pittsburgh managed only 21 offensive plays in the final two quarters, limiting the volume for all of the Steelers' skill-position players. Gainwell will continue to have a key role in the offense, but he's a boom-or-bust fantasy option given the unit's inability to consistently move the ball.

Gainwell rushed the ball 10 times for 92 yards in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears. He added six receptions on six targets for 30 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Jaylen Warren was able to play despite nursing an ankle issue during the week, though he out-touched Gainwell only 18-16. Gainwell's big gain as a runner came on a fake tush push, with Connor Heyward instead spinning and handing the ball to Gainwell for a 55-yard gain -- ending just short of the goal line. As has been the case often this season, Gainwell also excelled as a receiver, pacing the team in receptions and finishing second in yards. Warren is likely to continue to serve as Pittsburgh's traditional lead back moving forward, though Gainwell has a clear role in the offense that is particularly useful in PPR formats.