Kenneth Gainwell is used to playing for winning teams.
In fact, not only has Gainwell won a Super Bowl as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles
, but he's also made the playoffs every season since entering the league in 2021. During all four of his years in Philadelphia (2021-2024), Gainwell went to the playoffs. During his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, Gainwell also went to the playoffs.However, he's looking at the very real prospect of missing the playoffs for the first time in his career this season as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are 0-3 and could drop to 0-4 this week against the Green Bay Packers. Only seven teams in NFL history have made the postseason after starting 0-3, while just one team has
done so after starting 0-4.
Gainwell said the key for the Buccaneers to win their first game of the season is that it's going to take the "whole team" to make it happen.
"I think it's going to take the whole team, offense, defense, especially special teams," said Gainwell in a one-on-one interview. "Everybody being on the same page, everybody going out there and doing the small details on what we need to be doing. Communication is key in this game, and everybody being on the same page will definitely help us out."
The Buccaneers have not complemented each other well through the first three weeks of the season, ranking 19th in points scored and 23rd in points allowed. Tampa Bay faces an even bigger challenge as they'll have to rely on undrafted rookie free agent quarterback Jalon Daniels with Baker Mayfield out for at least three weeks due to a thumb injury.
Gainwell had high praise for Daniels, comparing his skill set to those of his former quarterback, Jalen Hurts, as well as Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick.
“I think he plays like a Mike Vick or a new school Lamar Jackson type of guy,” said Gainwell. “But I see a lot of skill sets in his arm talent, like a little Jalen Hurts arm talent. He can throw the ball down the field. Everyone know Jalen can throw the ball down the field real good, but he’s very talented in that part.”
He also brought up scoring touchdowns in the red zone, something the Buccaneers have struggled with drastically this season. They rank 30th in red zone touchdown percentage.
"Being efficient on first and second down, getting good runs, not being in a lot of third and longs would definitely help us out tremendously," said Gainwell of what the Buccaneers need to do. "Doing the small things, man, like scoring touchdowns in the red zone would definitely help."
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Kenneth Gainwell on key for Buccaneers to snap winless streak
