Buccaneers have a potential trade chip they shouldn’t ignore in Kenny Gainwell

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed veteran running back Kenny Gainwell this offseason with the expectation that he would play a major role in the offense. 

That simply hasn’t panned out. Through five games, Gainwell is averaging just three carries per game and is the team’s least efficient rusher, averaging only 2.6 yards per carry. Even in the receiving game, which is his strong suit after catching 73 passes last season, Gainwell has been extremely underutilized.

This isn’t an indictment on Gainwell. Bucky Irving is deservedly getting the bulk of the work, while Sean Tucker is handling the short-yardage and goal-line carries, leaving Gainwell as the odd-man out. He’s proven capable of being a productive running back in this league after notching over 1,000 scrimmage yards last season, and if the Bucs aren’t going to use him, they should trade him to a team that will.

2 teams the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should call to explore a Kenny Gainwell trade

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have been floated as a team that could look to trade for a running back. Philadelphia has a longstanding run-first identity, but they currently rank among the NFL’s bottom-10 rushing offenses.

Saquon Barkley can’t shoulder the load by himself, and he’s currently dealing with a hamstring injury.

Tank Bigsby is on injured reserve with a core muscle injury and won’t return until November, while Will Shipley suffered a partial tear of his plantar fascia in Week 5 and is expected to miss several weeks. The Eagles are suddenly dangerously thin in the backfield.

Gainwell makes perfect sense as a potential addition who could contribute in both the rushing game and receiving games. He spent the first four seasons of his career in Philadelphia and even won a Super Bowl with the Eagles.

The Buccaneers should try to take advantage of Philadelphia’s desperation by acquiring some future draft capital while sending Gainwell to a familiar team where he could have a more prominent offensive role. Everybody wins.

Seattle Seahawks

Emanuel Wilson and George Holani are currently handling the bulk of Seattle’s rushing workload. Both have struggled to find efficiency, averaging around three yards per carry. 

First-round rookie Jadarian Price is on injured reserve with a chest injury, and Zach Charbonet hasn’t returned from the torn ACL he suffered last season, though he's expected to return soon.

Seattle ranked No. 11 in rushing offense during its Super Bowl-winning campaign last season, but they’ve slipped to No. 17 so far in 2026.

The Seahawks could use another weapon in their backfield, and Gainwell could be the answer. At the very least, he’d give Seattle a viable receiving threat out of the backfield who could create chunk plays with the ball in his hands and help move the chains.

Acquiring Gainwell likely wouldn’t cost much, either. With the Seahawks trying to close the gap on the 5-0 San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West, adding an experienced playmaker could help strengthen their offense for the stretch run.

What is Kenny Gainwell's trade value?

According to Pro Football Network's NFL Trade Machine, Gainwell is worth the equivalent of the No. 112 overall pick, which falls in the middle of the fourth round. That might be a bit generous on PFN's part, and perhaps something in the neighborhood of a fifth or sixth-round pick is more realistic.

Regardless of the specific return, if the Bucs can add any draft capital in a deep 2027 NFL Draft class in exchange for a rotational running back who has just 28 touches through five games, they'd be foolish not to pull the trigger.

The Buccaneers are 1-4, and if losses continue to pile up, it would be wise to sell assets at the trade deadline and begin to add more draft picks in preparation for the new coaching staff next season. If they go that route, Gainwell is an obvious trade chip.

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