Bucs RB Kenneth Gainwell.
When Joe first learned the Bucs agreed to terms with Kenneth Gainwell during the opening hour or so of legal tampering, Joe thought that was a nice signing: A quality running back who contributes on special teams and is sort of Rachaad White-like in that he’s a solid receiver out of the backfield.
He may be more than that. Much more.
Seth Walder of BSPN, a man who never met a number he didn’t like, believes Gainwell was the second-most underrated signing in free agency.
So in other words, he believes Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht stole Gainwell.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB
Signing Gainwell won’t be as flashy as inking Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne Jr. or Breece Hall. And Gainwell might not be an every-down back, either. But he can easily be a team’s best running back and his contract won’t cost as much as those of bigger names.
Gainwell is coming off a nice season with the Steelers in which he recorded 4.7 yards per carry per NFL Next Gen Stats. He recorded 10.6 yards per carry on plays in which he wasn’t contacted for at least 3 yards — sixth best among all running backs with at least 100 carries.
But Gainwell really excels on passing downs. He recorded 73 receptions for 486 yards last season in Pittsburgh, per NFL Next Gen Stats. … The Steelers had Gainwell on the field on 77% of third-and-longs. So he can absolutely be a value add.
There are two elements to the Bucs’ free agents that Joe senses. One is the Bucs signed guys with heart, with energy, with juice. The other was signing guys who wanted to be here.
This team lacked juice last year, in part because the defense quit on Todd Bowles in 2025.
And Joe doesn’t think he’s being outrageous in saying White was one of those guys (though clearly he didn’t play defense). Think about it: Just minutes after the Bucs were eliminated from the playoffs, White basically went adios MFers on Instagram.
Think that attitude just developed in 60 seconds? Maybe that’s why former Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard didn’t target White much in the passing game (which was his forte)? Grizzard possibly didn’t trust White with his “Mom-are-we-there-yet?” glum attitude for the end of his Bucs days.