Ben Roethlisberger Characterizes Kenny Gainwell As A Significant Loss
March 18th, 2026
Now that he’s no longer mistreating women and quarterbacking the Steelers, Ben Roethlistberger has a podcast devoted to various sports topics that include all things Steelers football.
Footbahallin, in its Tuesday episode, explore Steelers free agency and Roethlisberger noted the Bucs’ addition of “Kenny G,” aka running back Kenneth Gainwell. He views it as a likely loss for Pittsburgh.
“Losing Kenny G [to a] big deal, went to the Bucs, 2 years, 14 [million dollars]. Maybe we could have done something. Maybe he wanted to go. … I thought he would have been a great fit for [Mike] McCarthy’s offense,” Roethlisberger said, referring to the Steelers’ new head coach.
Before that comment, Roethlisberger talked about losing Steelers in free agency who were “maybe an important cog” and guys whose loss “might be felt.” The first player he mentioned was Gainwell.
Joe is very intrigued by Gainwell, in part because he’s a very similar running back — running and catching — to Bucky Irving, though Irving seems to have a higher ceiling when it comes to home run plays.
Why did the Bucs go for a similar back to Irving versus one with a different style that’s more complementary to Irving? Joe’s not being negative; it’s just an interesting decision.
“Gainwell’s phenomenal,” said NBC analyst and former Bucs QB Chris Simms, who led with Gainwell on his “Hidden Gems” study of 2026 NFL free agency.
March 18th, 2026 at 11:03 am
This guy is a great addition, and nobody is talking about it!
March 18th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Between Baker Godwin, Mac and Emeka and Otton and now this guy with Bucky and a healthy OLINE our Offense should be solid despite the loss of Hammy Mike. It is that Putrid Pass Defense and the lead DC Commando that we all worry about.
March 18th, 2026 at 11:07 am
He knows his role. This would be the biggest difference between him and rachad white.
March 18th, 2026 at 11:09 am
…and as the story goes, Kenny flew off to Tampa, and gain well he did
End of story.
March 18th, 2026 at 11:15 am
The Bucs will need to score at least 45 points per game to win. With Bowles still running the defense, makes sense to beef up the offence
March 18th, 2026 at 11:28 am
I think everyone needs to take a breath…this offense is going to be very good barring injuries once again. Zac robinson is light years ahead of grizzard when it comes to coaching. As for the defense, i have a feelikg we will be top half of the league once again.
March 18th, 2026 at 11:30 am
We lost Mike.
But at least we got Tiquan Underwood.
March 18th, 2026 at 11:50 am
I’m far from a Steelers fan, but I respect their judgment on running backs.
March 18th, 2026 at 11:52 am
Rotate them to stay fresh with no need to alter game plan..(?) my best guess
March 18th, 2026 at 11:52 am
I don’t believe Zach Robinson is sold on Bucky
The game against Miami, when Bucky lost his mind on the sidelines
He looked like a deer in headlights, totally loss
He couldn’t run the ball, he couldn’t break a tackle on screen passes
He had 9 carries 19 yards, 5 receptions 14 yards
He was terrible, yet Grizz stuck with him with White on the bench
Kenneth Gainwell will be the man this season
March 18th, 2026 at 11:53 am
He’s better than Rachaad White but Mike is gone and Todd is still the head coach…..The Lost Decade II has begun.
March 18th, 2026 at 11:54 am
Joes Says….Now that he’s no longer mistreating women and quarterbacking the Steelers,
……
At least he was a Lifelong Steeler, he has that going for him and did not stay too long in the league with bad hammies.
March 18th, 2026 at 11:54 am
“Joe is very intrigued by Gainwell, in part because he’s a very similar running back — running and catching — to Bucky Irving, though Irving seems to have a higher ceiling when it comes to home run plays.”
I don’t think they’re similar at all
73 receptions as an RB in a single season is insane, Bucky has 77 total receptions in 2 years/27 games.
Gainwell, in 17 games last year ran the ball 114 times for 537 yards & 5 rush TDs to go with 3 receiving TDs
Bucky, in 9 games ran the ball 62 more times than Gainwell for ONLY 51 more yards to go with 1 rushing TD & 3 receiving TDs.
In 2025, Bucky played 62% of offensive snaps in the 9 games he was availabe for a grand total of 421 snaps. Wasn’t nearly as effective as he was as a rookie in better hands with Coen calling plays or splitting duty with Rachaad White in 2024.
Gainwell on the other hand, played all 17 game, only played for 50% of the snaps and was a much more efficient offensive weapon.
Some of that is due to health differences, some of that is differences in system, but to look at their measurables and assume they play the game the same way or as capable as one another would be uh….lazy for lack of a better word.
March 18th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Maybe Irving was not fully recovered.
But, the run game tanked after Irving came back from injury and the Bucs shut down White and Tucker.
The Gainwell acquisition looks to be a solid move after the stupid handling of White. The Bucs never should have destroyed their relationship with White. And, they treated Tucker even worse. What is that relationship really like?
March 18th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
Kenneth Gainwell had 57 First Downs
Bucky had 38 First Downs
Bucky also had 16 more touches than Gainwell
.
Bottom Line
Bucky shouldn’t have been on the field
It should have been a White and Tucker rotation
March 18th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Rachaad White had 47 First Downs
With 31 fewer touches than Bucky
March 18th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
My Final Draft. No Trades. Totally Doable. I’d love this.
15. Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon
46. Anthony Hill Jr. LB Texas
77. Dani Dennis-Sutton EDGE Penn State
116. Derrick Moore EDGE Michigan
155. JC Davis OT Illinois
195. Cole Payton QB North Dakota State
229. Bryce Boettcher LB Oregon
March 18th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
SlyPirate,
What you gonna do about CB?
March 18th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
I’d have rather kept White, he’s the better all around back – and a better fit for the Bucs. But Gainwell has always impressed me – and always been quite productive. If he needs to play a bunch of snaps for the Bucs, he’ll do really well.
As for his alleged 2y/$14M deal… still waiting for contract details. I have a feeling, it’s more like a 1y/$5M deal, but we shall see.
March 18th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
SlyPirate Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
My Final Draft. No Trades. Totally Doable. I’d love this.
15. Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon
46. Anthony Hill Jr. LB Texas
77. Dani Dennis-Sutton EDGE Penn State
116. Derrick Moore EDGE Michigan
155. JC Davis OT Illinois
195. Cole Payton QB North Dakota State
229. Bryce Boettcher LB Oregon
————–
People would be throwing a fit about picking another offensive player in the 1st, and like the droning dullards they are, they’d endless chant 3rd and 28.
But, I’d have no issues with that draft.
March 18th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
I like SlyPirate mock draft
If Sadiq is available at 15, grab him
I think he’s one the Best players in the draft
He would fit perfectly with the Bucs
Because Zach would use him similar to how he used Pitts
March 18th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Well I was wrong, here’s the contract details for Gainwell I found from Spotrac – but for some reason they posted it on X, instead of their site.
– 2 years, $14M
– $9.83M guaranteed
– $7M 2026 cash
WOW, that’s pretty expensive in today’s NFL for a RB.
March 18th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
That shows you how much confidence the Bucs has in Bucky
March 18th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Bucky better come to camp prepared, ready to go
Gainwell will definitely be prepared
March 18th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
toopanca Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Maybe Irving was not fully recovered.
BINGO!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
813bucboi,
He stunk against the Steelers backups in a preseason game
8 carries, 12 yards
I think the 2924 season went to his head
And he came to camp unprepared, he looked out of shape
March 18th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
I don’t know if Spotrac just updated their site in the last few mins, or if I had some cached version of it – but they do have the contract details up for all the new Bucs signings. I just checked like 10 mins ago and didn’t see it. Anywho, the announced numbers all seem pretty legit, no agent hype it appears.
The Bucs certainly did not get any discounts in free agency – people are not busting down the doors for a chance to play here.
March 18th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
would love bama OL-Kadyn Proctor in the 1st round…
We’ve seen how Baker’s play has slipped when the line in front of him struggles, so keeping that unit a strength is critical.
banking on Mauch, MJ, Haggard and Klein would be foolish…again!!!!
what good is a 1st round TE if baker is on his back or running for his life
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 1:10 pm
At a minimum we now have someone else to cover for buckys injuries
March 18th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
Bucky is a star and will produce if he’s not got a mongoloid as OC and isn’t missing both guards while being tasked to run up the middle when defenses are sitting on the calls.
All you have to do is watch the tape – and Bucky looked like Bucky. The difference was playcalling and blocking.
March 18th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
813bucboi Says:
banking on Mauch
————
Huh? Now you guys think Cody is a bust?
My God, people have no idea what they’re watching.
Cody is great, one of the better young guards in the NFL already, and still improving.
March 18th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Lakeland Says:
I think the 2924 season went to his head
And he came to camp unprepared, he looked out of shape
no disagreeing with you there lol
he looked unmotivated and bored…similar to Zyon
hopefully everyone has a sense of urgency in 2026
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Rod Munch Says:
Huh? Now you guys think Cody is a bust?
Who said he was a bust?…lol…
Mauch is injured and his contract is up after the season…
i doubt he’ll be 100% to start training camp…much like godwin or Opeta…
remember opeta?….OL who tore his ACL in TC in 2024 and has yet to recover….Mauch suffered a very similar injury
banking on Mauch to return to full strength after a significant knee injury is foolish considering the lack of quality depth behind him
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 1:39 pm
“i doubt he’ll be 100% to start training camp…much like godwin or Opeta…”
I get the projecting that he may still be recovering, but are we forgetting Mauch got hurt before the end of September?
It’s been just about 6 months since his surgery
By time offseason workouts come around 4/20 he’ll have been in his 7th month of recovery
We don’t open training camp until 7/22, it’ll be about 10 months post injury by then.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Very nice draft SlyPirate. I concur.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:02 pm
Can we trade for Anthony Richardson? Come on Jason, let’s get it done, a third day pick, is not going to hurt this team! Let’s Go Bucs!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
Gainwell is as solid as they come. Like titanium solid. He has played and produced in 16 games a year since he was drafted. The Bucs know what they’re getting. He is a great fit and an indicator that the Bucs are intent on using their RBs like Canales and Coen did. I’m surprised how much they’re paying him though. He must be a significant part of Robinson’s plan.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
He is also a converted QB so I might be hoping to see him successfully execute a trick play or three in his time as a Buc.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 1:39 pm
I get the projecting that he may still be recovering, but are we forgetting Mauch got hurt before the end of September?
It’s been just about 6 months since his surgery
By time offseason workouts come around 4/20 he’ll have been in his 7th month of recovery
We don’t open training camp until 7/22, it’ll be about 10 months post injury by then.
************************************************************
My point exactly!!!!…which is why i referred to Opeta…
On July 31, 2024, it was announced that Opeta suffered a torn ACL in practice, placing him on injured reserve and ending his 2024 season.
Opeta got injured before the season started and he still hasnt recovered…that or he had an set back in his rehab and hasnt recovered
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
We never had a Running Back to have more than two 1,000 yards seasons
Never in our 50 year history
James Wilder, Doug Martin giave a couple of thousand yards seasons
And we have some to give us one thousand yards season
It all started with Ricky Bell in 1979
We won two Super Bowls without a thousand yards Rusher
But RoJo came close in 2020
We have mostly had a strong run game by committee
That has been our trademark, and we’ve won with it
I said it in 2024, l say it now
We don’t need one RB to carry the load
We need a committee of fresh RBs
March 18th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
813bucboi Says:
Mauch is injured and his contract is up after the season…
————-
The info at the time of injury was a 4-6 month recovery window – I’ve seen nothing that says otherwise. Additionally Licht has already said he’s expected to be fully healthy by the time camp rolls around.
As for his contract – get it done early at a discount. He’s shown every sign of being a stud, and this is an area where you should spend money, since it makes whoever is playing QB look a lot better.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
HeavyE Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 2:02 pm
Can we trade for Anthony Richardson? Come on Jason, let’s get it done, a third day pick, is not going to hurt this team! Let’s Go Bucs!!!
————
Yeah, I said the same thing as well.
I’m not thinking he’d be much of a QB, he’s just wildly inaccurate, and at this point that isn’t going to change. But he could be a huge weapon at the goal line – and if forced to play as a QB in games, if you’re smart about using him, really sticking with the run and taking a few shots here and there, you could get by with him for a few games.
But as basically a goal line specialist, it would be well worth flipping a late round pick for him.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
The info at the time of injury was a 4-6 month recovery window – I’ve seen nothing that says otherwise. Additionally Licht has already said he’s expected to be fully healthy by the time camp rolls around.
Licht said wirfs would be 100% and fully healthy when camp rolls around and he ended up having surgery in July lol…and we heard nothing to suggest he hadnt recovered prior to July
regarding his contract, godwin didnt come at a discount when licht signed him after his injury
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Kenny was voted MVP for the Steelers last year. That kinda says it all.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Cole Payton ND State QB drafted in the fifth round in the above mock would be a better goal line weapon. Plus, Richardson would stir up the Traskies. Nothing against Anthony, he has a future in this league but Cole Payton and Luke Altmeyer are both preferable uses of a Bucs day three pick.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
***Yeah Errict Rhett gave a couple thousand yards seasons also***
March 18th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
813bucboi Says:
regarding his contract, godwin didnt come at a discount when licht signed him after his injury
———–
Yes, he literally did – the Patriots offered him a lot more money than what he got from the Bucs.
Also, I didn’t mean sign him on the cheap because of the injury – I mean sign him on the cheap before he goes out this year and looks like one of the best guards in the NFL. Sort of like with Yaya – lock him up now, because someone is going to pay him a ton of money next offseason.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
Lakeland Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
***Yeah Errict Rhett gave a couple thousand yards seasons also***
———–
Poor guy had his career ruined by Drew Rosenhaus.
Worked out well for the Bucs, since they got sick of dealing with him and drafted Warrick Dunn – but still, Rhett could have been the starter for all those all-time great Bucs teams if he hadn’t listened to Rosenhaus and kept holding out, and drove the team to get someone else.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:50 pm
And Warrick Dunn gave us a couple of thousand yards seasons
.he could have given us a lot more
If he wasn’t sharing the rock with Mike Alstott
And he was never on the sidelines pouting either
March 18th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Interesting Rashad didnt land with Canales or Coen….
March 18th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
KG is a good pickup even if overpaid. Bucky should get a pass on last year with the injury and Grizz. KG is good insurance if Bucky is a one year wonder. JL and TB totally queered the deal with Rachaad. He was a good solid player we could have returned except for more bad coaching. He knew his role. They refused to use him properly and as promised. Cost to the Bucs is about 3mil extra this year to replace him. Geniuses at work.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
Munch,
Nobody othet than your girlfriends on this blog care what you have to say. Go help the 49ers.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Like your draft SlyPirate.
No chance for your #1 though. Otton is another Licht favorite, limited as he is and already signed. Decision is already made. Swap Sadiq out for a CB or switch an early pick and you have a winner. Nice job.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
Yes, he literally did – the Patriots offered him a lot more money than what he got from the Bucs.
Nawl you’re way off base lol
Licht didnt offer less, he offered fair #2 WR money…22mil annually….
Patriots offered #1 WR money….30+mil annually…big difference
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Steelers voted him MVP but did not keep him. Why?
March 18th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
“regarding his contract, godwin didnt come at a discount when licht signed him after his injury”
Godwin 100% came back to Tampa for less than the $30M a year deal New England offered him last offseason.
Also turned what would’ve been a $18-19M dead cap hit in 2025 had he left, into $16M of spendable cap space in ’25 after Godwin agreed to pushing back the original void date on his deal last year.
All that said, he def gave us a deal to stay in Tampa and to actually spend money last offseason.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
“Steelers voted him MVP but did not keep him. Why?”
The whole coaching staff got turned over
March 18th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Let em Bake Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Interesting Rashad didnt land with Canales or Coen….
———–
He spent years talking about how he wanted to play with Daniels.
Literally.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
813bucboi – Godwin was leading the NFL in receiving when he got hurt, was offered a deal near $30M/year, and he took a huge discount to come back to Tampa, and you don’t think he took a discount? That literally makes no sense.