Insider: Steelers Wanted To Keep 1 Key Player From 2025 But He Was Lost To Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been fairly active in free agency in recent years, picking up plenty of big names as well as underrated depth pieces to try and build a well-balanced team across the board. General Manager Omar Khan has developed a reputation for being aggressive, but not so aggressive that he mortgages the future for one guy. Outside of controversy at the quarterback position, he has mostly succeeded in building a team that does not have any significant holes, while still retaining plenty of draft capital and future cap space to keep making moves. 

Sometimes, that leads to him making moves that he does not want to. While making a recent appearance on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's YouTube channel, team insider Gerry Dulac revealed that the Steelers had their eyes set on bringing back a key piece from the 2025 team, even though they didn't and had to sign his replacement in free agency.

"While Kenny Gainwell was their team MVP and [the Steelers] would have liked to have kept him, they knew he would probably leave in free agency, and they bring in Rico Dowdle," Dulac said.

It makes perfect sense as to why the Steelers loved Kenneth Gainwell and wanted him back: he was Aaron Rodgers' favorite target. He led the team with 73 receptions, and it wasn't particularly close. Granted, throwing 85 passes to the backup running back throughout the season is not sustainable, it did make the 42-year-old very comfortable throughout 2025. However, Gainwell had other plans that didn't match what Pittsburgh wanted. 

After that great campaign, Gainwell wasn't looking to take a discount to stay where he thrived. As a man who has been seen more as a lesser piece of a running-back-by-committee throughout his career, he was more interested in cashing in with whichever team would pay him the most. That deal was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who gave him a two-year deal with almost $10 million guaranteed, which the Steelers most likely did not get close to matching. 

With Gainwell gone, the Steelers pivoted to the next best option: bringing in one of Mike McCarthy's former players. If anyone knows how to utilize Rico Dowdle, it would be him. He was much cheaper as well, with his $5 million signing bonus being the only guarantee in his contract. He and Jaylen Warren will split time together, but it is unclear if it will be similar to when Gainwell was in Pittsburgh or they get utilized in other ways. 

Dowdle is coming off of his second straight 1,000-yard season while also posting a career-high six rushing touchdowns in 2025. He has had some success in the receiving game, although it's nowhere near what Gainwell did in that facet. There is still quite a bit to get excited about, especially with the Steelers leaning away from the traditional bell-cow running style and shifting the scheme towards a two-man RBBC.

Steelers' Probable Running Back Splits For 2026

Warren is a jack-of-all-trades running back, so his role will primarily focus around Dowdle's weaknesses. In this case, the former Dallas Cowboys back is not as strong in the receiving game, or with the outside runs as his new teammate. With that, Dowdle will likely be the short-yardage back, while also working on first downs. Warren will likely be used for more splash plays.

With Rodgers slowing down, the Steelers will have to put an emphasis on the run game to properly complement his abilities in the passing game. On top of that, the scheme change from multiple tight ends to three wide receivers will mean there will be fewer blockers on the line. Both Warren and Dowdle can do well in traffic, but that will be tested throughout 2026.

What do you think about the Steelers seemingly wanting Gainwell over Dowdle? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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