The Pittsburgh Steelers found a bargain with Kenneth Gainwell last offseason.

This time around, there likely won’t be any such bargain.The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported that Gainwell plans to test the free agent market, meaning he won’t just return simply to the Steelers after the expiration of his one-year deal.

It’s logical, of course, with Gainwell coming off a great year. It makes sense to see what he can get paid.

The Steelers have already made it clear they want him to return. GM Omar Khan spoke on the matter at a press conference recently, saying, “He knows we want him back.”

Earlier this offseason, ESPN analyzed Gainwell’s free agency and thought it might be tough to get him to return for another season.

“He’s due for a significantly higher salary in 2026 after earning team MVP honors,” ESPN’s Brooke Pryor wrote. “He led the Steelers with 73 receptions and scored eight touchdowns as he split running back duties with Jaylen Warren. Gainwell was an all-purpose threat in Arthur Smith’s scheme, but these Steelers could look a lot different with Mike McCarthy calling plays. The Steelers haven’t typically given big contracts to running backs, and it seems more likely that the former Eagle will get paid elsewhere.”

The Steelers will have Jaylen Warren for the season ahead regardless. They’ve also got Kaleb Johnson, who they drafted out of Iowa but then hardly played as a rookie.

Pittsburgh might be better served spending its money elsewhere if Gainwell finds the opportunity to get a solid raise.

There are plenty of things for the Steelers to figure out, and Gainwell may not require their heaviest attention.