Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as a fifth-round pick (150th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an unrestricted free agent on March 13, 2025.
Signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an unrestricted free agent on March 12, 2026.
Has played in 83 career regular season games, with six starts, totaling 394 carries for 1,722 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns, while adding 175 receptions for 1,207 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. Also has returned 53 kickoffs for 1,245 yards.
Has appeared in 10 postseason contests, totaling 57 carries for 252 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, while adding 21 receptions for 166 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
Established career highs in rushing yards (537), receiving yards (486), receptions (73), rushing touchdowns (five), receiving touchdowns (three) and total touchdowns (eight) with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025.
Named Pittsburgh's 2025 Team MVP, an award voted on by teammates.
From 2021-25, Gainwell was the only running back in the NFL to have played in at least 16 games each season.
Tied the Philadelphia Eagles' franchise rookie record with five rushing touchdowns in 2021.
Recorded first career touchdown at Dallas (9/27/21).
In 2025, appeared in all 17 games for the Steelers, with two starts, recording 114 carries for 537 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 73 receptions for 486 yards and three touchdowns.
He was 1-of-5 running backs in the NFL to record at least 500 rushing yards and 450 receiving yards in the 2025 season, joining De'Von Achane, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey and Bijan Robinson.
Among all running backs with at least 150+ routes run in 2025, Gainwell's 27.2% target rate was the highest in the NFL. He produced the fourth-most catches (73) and fifth-most yards after catch (548) among that group.
Played three collegiate seasons at the University of Memphis (2018- 20), appearing in 18 career games with 14 starts, recording 2,212 scrimmage yards (1,550 rushing yards, 662 receiving yards) and 17 total touchdowns.
Recorded one of the most productive seasons in Memphis program history in 2019, rushing 231 times for 1,459 yards and 13 touchdowns, while adding 51 receptions for 610 yards and three touchdowns. Was named the AAC Rookie of the Year and received first- team All-AAC honors as a result.
Won the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award and earned FWAA Freshman All-America recognition following the 2019 season.x With his performance in 2019, Gainwell became the first FBS player since 1997 to record 1,400-or-more rushing yards and 600-or-more receiving yards in a single season.
Gainwell's 1,459 rushing yards at Memphis in 2019 ranked seventh nationally.
Redshirted in 2018 after appearing in four games, rushing four times for 91 yards and one touchdown, while adding six receptions for 52 yards.
Attended Yazoo County High School in Yazoo City, Miss.
Played quarterback in high school and earned Mississippi Class 3A Mr. Football honors. Finished his high school career with 3,682 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 4,730 rushing yards and 75 rushing touchdowns.
As a senior, passed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,834 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Cousin of former NFL defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who was his teammate in Philadelphia.
