Gainwell

Someone said it's not the touches that matter, it's what you do with them:



Oh, and PFR says Gainwell's broken tackle rate was #3 in the NFL while Dowdle was #39.

I'm taking Gainwell. Again.

 

If price was the same, I agree Gainwell seems to be the better bet. Seems to be more efficient. Younger. Less wear and tear. Team already knows him (although maybe MM knows Dowdle better).

But if Gainwell is something like $4MM / year and Dowdle is something like $2.5MM / year, than I'd be fine with Dowdle.

Especially because I think Gainwell isn't going to get the same usage he had last year gain in his career (kind of like Smith last year).

Ideally, Johnson can be the RB2 (and grow into an RB1). Then we wouldn't need to pay a UFA to be our RB2. But with no information on him, it's harder to count on him in that role...although RB is probably the easiest position to plug a guy in and get OK results. So I also wouldn't be upset going with Johnson and throw in a late pick and some UDFAs are RB to see who sticks.

Ultimately, none of these options are bad IMO.

 

Anyone who had a productive year last season, stays. Step 1

 

Gainwell is smaller than the RBs McCarthy had in Green Bay and Dallas.

That is not to say that McCarthy is going to prefer a bigger RB. I have no idea. Previous stops he usually made it work with what he had rather than getting a specific guy.

But, 2024 and 2025 don't really matter for this situation at all. Who cares what any RB did previously? It is going to be a totally different offense with a total different set of offensive priorities and preferences.

At least in theory....

 

Not sure if you're allowed to be a Steelers HC if you prefer small fast RBs.

In sarcasm font, but only half-sarcasm.

 

Going to be curious to see what Gainwell gets on the open market.

Speaking of the Open Market, would Najee Harris be interested in coming back to the Steelers now that Mike Tomlin is gone. McCarthy always seemed to like to have a pounding RB in the room.
Ex-Steelers RB Najee Harris says Tomlin told him to leave Pittsburgh

 

Yes

No LMAO at that one

 

I thin KJ is a bust ..I never liked the pick..I wished we could just trade him and move on Gainwell brings a lot of value AR really likes him and his style is perfect for the West Coast scheme ..

 

I'm sure Najee would come back if the money was better than the other options.

Personally, I have zero interest in having him on the team.

 

trade him for what?

 

If Aaron Rodgers returns as the Steelers QB, and I think he will, then I believe Gainwell will be back as well, likely with a nice pay raise. You really couldn’t have asked for more from a running back this past season.

 

Since basically no other team wanted Najee last off season and his value has plummeted since I don’t see money being a problem

The Steelers/Omar just doesn’t want his trouble in the locker room

He’s in the persona non grata pile with George DJ Kenny …….

 

I don't know if he's considered a locker room problem or not.

But I have always wondered why he was originally made a captain (voted on by players). But then not given a captaincy in later years.

My issues with Najee are on the field though. Gets stuffed too often. Doesn't ever make the big game breaking run.

 

Always some fool Team out there .. Maybe a 4th. rounder ? or even a 4th. in next years draft?

 

I expect Gainwell to sign for around $7 million, and Najee to sign for league minimum plus incentives.

I remember when McCarthy welcomed Zeke back to Dallas, after a year away from the team. Hopefully Najee will have a better year than Zeke had that final year in Dallas.

 

7 k a year ???

 

I think he meant 7 Million for 2 years ? I think he deserves more than that ..Rodgers stated he was under paid and wanted to get his money ... I think 5.5 Million per year for 2 seasons ..

 

No, I said "$7 million", as in $7 million per year.

 

Too much

 

oh okay i dont think he will get that much . The internet pundits speculate 4 million per year ..He for sure deserves more than that ..

 

Personally, I wouldn't pay him $7MM / year. I assume that's what you mean. If you mean $7mm over two years, I'd do that deal.

He's the backup to Warren, who makes just under $6MM / year. Paying the backup more than the Starter doesn't seem like a wise thing to do.

It would also put him right around top 15 for AAV for RBs. Which I don't think is a great idea for a RB2 (who's role is almost certain to decrease next year because there will be other people that can catch on the team).

I also think his usage is going to revert to the mean hard. The odds that he again plays on a team with 1 NFL WR (sometimes 0 NFL WRs) is unlikely.

This is why I think it's likely he walks in UFA.