Insider Forecasts Big Figure For Kenneth Gainwell In Free Agency, Which Steelers Might Still Match
Kenneth Gainwell can start speaking to groups about leaving the Steelers, which is a definite chance, at present at midday. Following a profession 12 months, his market is probably going as robust as it’ll ever be in his life. Even if Pittsburgh provided an above-fair-market deal for him, it would be wise to explore your options.
Steelers beat author Ray Fittipaldo believes Gainwell’s choices, in truth, might be fairly strong—however the Steelers may pony up. After churning out over 1,000 environment friendly yards and eight touchdowns, they do not wish to see him depart. But how a lot will they should pay to maintain him, whereas additionally paying Jaylen Warren north of $5 million?
“I’m guessing Gainwell, his market’s gonna be in that $7-8 million a year range,” Fittipaldo advised Sportsline’s George Von Benko over the weekend. “He’s a third-down again, however he is a very, actually good third-down again. And the Steelers used him nearly as a 1A to Jaylen Warren, so there is a group on the market that envisions the same function for him. I may even see that transcend $8 million, however I’m gonna say between $7 and $8 million for him. And I feel the Steelers will take into account that. If Gainwell comes again to the Steelers and says, ‘Hey, that is the quantity, are you able to match it?’, we’ll see if the Steelers wish to match it.”
Personally, I am unable to see Kenneth Gainwell getting $8 million a 12 months, nor the Steelers matching it. Even with a strong operating again market this offseason, that appears too excessive for a fifth-year breakout season. Gainwell did not simply play effectively as a result of he obtained extra snaps. He performed higher than he ever did earlier than, and it is truthful to query its sustainability.
The massive transfer at operating again thus far forward of free company was the Jets franchising Breece Hall at $14,293,000. Nobody goes to return near that quantity, nonetheless. Javonte Williams re-signed with the Cowboys on a three-year, $24 million contract, however is Kenneth Gainwell in that very same vary?
Running back-needy groups will have their choice this offseason. Some of the highest names available on the market this week embody Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne, Rico Dowdle, Tyler Allgeier, and Isiah Pacheco. Most of them are hitting free company for the primary time, with isn’t the case for Kenneth Gainwell.
In reality, the Steelers signed Gainwell for below $2 million final March as an unrestricted free agent. Hardly anyone was considering him, which, granted, hindsight proved unsuitable. Last season, he rushed for 537 yards and 5 touchdowns on 114 carries and gained 586 yards with 3 touchdowns on 73 receptions. His 8 touchdowns tied the group lead, and his teammates voted him Steelers MVP.
While the Steelers ought to prioritize re-signing Kenneth Gainwell, they can’t ignore the price tag. If there’s a group prepared to pay him $8 million, ought to they actually match that? We do not even know if Mike McCarthy envisions utilizing a participant like him in the identical mildew. Arthur Smith and Aaron Rodgers obtained probably the most out of him, however will even Rodgers be again? And the large query is that this: Could he do once more what he did final 12 months? I’m not betting $8 million on it.
