Kenneth Gainwell is a proven veteran running back who has won a Super Bowl.
The 27-year-old had a career year in his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, posting 537 rushing yards and five touchdowns, along with 73 receptions for 486 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He also served as the team's kickoff returner, returning 26 kicks for 633 yards.
He was able to parlay that into a two-year, $14 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason.
The Buccaneers have a clear-cut starter in Bucky Irving, and Gainwell signed on to be the established backup, expecting a major role. Through the first three games this season, that hasn't exactly been the case, as he's posted just 10 carries for 21 rushing yards.
Gainwell detailed why he
signed with the Buccaneers in the offseason.
"My big part on signing here was to come down here and help out," Gainwell said. I seen a a team that I potentially think can get to the playoff, win our division, and make a run in the playoffs. That was my mindset of coming into this thing, and my role right now hasn't been truly created what I imagine it being. But I'm taking on my role as being a special teams guy, and whatever I can do on that offense to create explosive plays, create whatever we need to be doing on third down. That's blocking or doing the the dirty work."
While the stats aren't great, Gainwell has appeared in 42% of the offensive snaps. That means he is getting legit playing time on offense, and the stats should show eventually. The Super Bowl champion running back is taking an optimistic point of view as the Buccaneers look to snap their winless streak in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers.
"But at the same time, man, I'm just embracing what opportunities I have been given, and just gonna sit here and wait until my number being called and go out there and execute the way I know I can and just help this team win," said Gainwell "I know we're a winning team. Being in a slump like this, it frustrates everybody. But at the same time, winning as a team will get us over that hump and continue to grow."
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Kenneth Gainwell on why he signed offseason deal to be Buccaneers backup
