PITTSBURGH — The legal tampering period of Steelers free agency 2026 just opened, and Pittsburgh immediately lost its most productive offensive weapon. Running back Kenneth Gainwell agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, stripping the Steelers of their reigning team MVP.
The front office drew a hard line in the sand. Management refused to pay Gainwell more than starting back Jaylen Warren, who secured a two-year, $12 million extension last summer. Warren remains locked in through 2027, but the backfield suddenly looks drastically thinner behind him.
Gainwell dominated the stat sheet in 2025. He caught a team-high 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns, while adding another 537 yards and five scores on the ground. You have to rewind the tape to 1996 to find the last time Pittsburgh watched a team MVP walk out the door in free agency. That year, quarterback Neil O’Donnell bolted for the New York Jets fresh off a Super Bowl XXX appearance.
The Aaron Rodgers Ripple Effect
If Aaron Rodgers decides to strap up his helmet for another season in Pittsburgh, he will return to a locker room missing his ultimate safety blanket. Rodgers hyped up Gainwell at every press conference last season, leaning on the veteran back to keep the chains moving.
“I love playing with him. He is as smart as they come. I told him a long time ago my goal was to get him paid because I’ve been a fan of his when he was in Philly. Every time he goes into the game, something good happens.”
— Aaron Rodgers, Steelers Quarterback
With Gainwell gone, the pressure shifts to Warren and 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson, who barely saw the field as a rookie (28 carries, 69 yards). Expect general manager Omar Khan to aggressively target the draft or the remaining free-agent pool to patch this glaring hole.
Defense Re-loads: Samuel Jr. and Holcomb Stay Put
While the offense took a hit, the defense secured crucial pieces. The Steelers inked cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year, $4 million extension.
Samuel arrived in November after a long recovery from neck surgery. He suited up for six games, snagging a crucial interception against Miami in December. With veteran James Pierre packing his bags for the Minnesota Vikings, Samuel now stares down a starting role opposite Joey Porter Jr. The physical toll of the AFC North demands deep secondaries, and bringing Samuel back provides immediate stability.
Linebacker Cole Holcomb also returns on a two-year, $5 million deal. Holcomb missed the entire 2024 season but clawed his way back onto the field last year as a backup and special-teams core player, logging 37 tackles. He joins a crowded, fully-contracted inside linebacker room featuring Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison, and Payton Wilson.
Broderick Jones: A Race Against Time
The anxiety surrounding the offensive line remains high. Left tackle Broderick Jones, the team’s 2023 first-round pick, underwent spinal-fusion surgery in December. The situation forces the front office to weigh several critical factors before the May 1 deadline:
- The Recovery Timeline: Doctors now project a six-month recovery instead of nine, potentially allowing Jones to return for July training camp.
- The Precedent: Teammate Asante Samuel Jr. conquered a similar neck surgery in April 2025 and returned to action by October, providing a blueprint for Jones.
- The Financial Risk: Exercising the fifth-year option locks the team into a guaranteed $19,072,000 salary for 2027.
If the Steelers decline the option, Jones hits the open market after the 2026 season. Paying nearly $20 million for a player recovering from a fused neck carries massive risk, making it highly likely Pittsburgh passes on the option.
The Unsung Heroes
Players care about cash, but they also care about their bodies. The newly released NFLPA survey handed the Steelers failing grades across several facility categories, but the medical staff defied the trend entirely.
Head trainer Gabe Amponsah and his five assistants earned a flawless A-plus grade—the highest mark in the league. When guys like Samuel Jr. and Jones trust the staff with their careers and massive paydays, that grade means everything.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
Losing your best pass-catching back in a loaded AFC alters the offensive identity. If Rodgers stays, the Steelers must find a reliable check-down option immediately, either by drafting a versatile back in April or poaching a cap-casualty veteran. Defensively, securing Samuel Jr. allows the front office to focus their early draft capital on the trenches rather than scrambling for starting cornerbacks. The clock is ticking on Khan to maximize this roster’s current championship window.
