Steelers just got a chance to sign one of the most underrated free agents as a replacement for team MVP who will test the market
The Steelers can suddenly set their sights on an ideal replacement if they are unable to re-sign Kenny Gainwell.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for the busiest week on the NFL calendar. Come Monday, March 9, the Steelers, along with the league’s 31 other teams, will be diving headfirst into NFL free agency. Players will be coming and going, and a new era of Steelers football will fully begin.
Omar Khan and the staff already kicked things off this week when they decided to part ways with TE Jonnu Smith, which was largely expected. However, the team will have to brace for other losses, and it won’t be their choice. One of them is Calvin Austin III, who made the last-minute decision to switch his representation ahead of the big week. Another is the 2025 team MVP Kenny Gainwell, who looks poised to test the market. Well, following some surprising news, the Steelers now have a clear target to be his replacement.
Steelers should target RB Sean Tucker in free agency if Kenny Gainwell leaves
Gainwell had a career year for the Steelers, going over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and scoring eight total touchdowns. In a rather anemic offense, he was often a spark in the passing game, evidenced by him finishing second on the team in receptions.
Turning 27 in just a few days, Gainwell could quietly be in for a nice payday on the open market as the draft class at RB isn’t very deep, and the cyclical nature of the NFL has brought backs into full focus. Luckily for the Steelers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided not to tender Sean Tucker, making him eligible to hit free agency next week. To learn more about Tucker as a player, I spoke with A to Z Tampa Bay’s Evan Winter.
What would the Steelers be receiving in Sean Tucker?
“2025 was the best year of Sean Tucker’s career after he racked up 354 total yards and eight total touchdowns in a reserve role. He’s a physical runner with a low center of gravity and home run ability. Don’t let his pass stats from last year fool you, either, as he can be a solid weapon in the pass game.”
“Tucker should still be considered a depth player/backup at this point in his career, but he showed the ability to take over a game in Week 11 against the Bills, where he put up 140 total yards and three total touchdowns on 21 touches. Either way, whomever signs him will a get young playmaker whose arrow is certainly pointing up.” – Winter
Pittsburgh Steelers News
Steelers wide receiver makes a last-second move ahead of free agency that proves the writing is on the wall in Pittsburgh
Calvin Austin III seems to be on his way out of Pittsburgh.
