The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an ideal opportunity to finally unleash Kenneth Gainwell when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Steeler returns to face the organization that named him its team MVP last season. Tampa Bay should take advantage of that storyline by expanding his role offensively.

Gainwell has recorded 44 rushing yards and 54 receiving yards through five games this season. He’s also caught 11 passes, including a receiving touchdown against Green Bay. His limited workload doesn’t reflect his potential as a dual-threat weapon capable of contributing as both a runner and receiver.

• Rushing Attempts: 7-11
• Rushing Yards: 25-45
• Rushing Touchdowns: 0
• Targets: 5-8
• Receptions: 4-6
• Receiving Yards: 30-55
• Receiving Touchdowns: 0-1
• Total Yards From Scrimmage: 55-100

Gainwell has extra motivation against the Steelers, who saw his value firsthand last season. He produced 537 rushing yards, 486 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns during his Pittsburgh campaign. The Steelers also recognized his contributions by naming him their team MVP.

This matchup presents an opportunity for Gainwell to remind Pittsburgh what made him valuable. Tampa Bay should give him enough touches to make an impact rather than leaving him underutilized. His familiarity with the Steelers could also help him recognize defensive tendencies.

Gainwell’s receiving skills should be a much bigger part of Tampa Bay’s offensive game plan. He caught 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns with Pittsburgh last season. Those numbers demonstrate why limiting him to occasional carries wastes a valuable offensive weapon.

Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson should use Gainwell on screens, checkdowns, and routes from the backfield. These opportunities could create mismatches against linebackers and give quarterback Jalon Daniels reliable underneath options. Gainwell’s receiving ability could also help Daniels move the chains while avoiding Pittsburgh’s pass rush.

Gainwell has received just 17 carries through Tampa Bay’s first five games. Although Bucky Irving remains the primary running back, Gainwell deserves a more meaningful share of the workload. A combination of inside runs, outside runs, and passing opportunities could keep Pittsburgh’s defense guessing.

The Buccaneers need to find creative ways to maximize their offensive personnel. Gainwell’s versatility allows Robinson to change formations without substituting players. Giving him consistent opportunities could make Tampa Bay’s offense less predictable and create additional space for its other playmakers.

• Rushing Attempts: 9
• Rushing Yards: 36
• Rushing Touchdowns: 0
• Targets: 7
• Receptions: 5
• Receiving Yards: 44
• Receiving Touchdowns: 0
• Total Yards From Scrimmage: 80

Gainwell deserves a larger role against the team he helped lead last season. His combination of running ability and receiving production gives Tampa Bay another way to attack Pittsburgh’s defense.

This is an ideal opportunity for Robinson to showcase Gainwell’s complete skill set. Five catches and nine carries would represent a meaningful increase in involvement while giving Daniels another dependable option.

Prediction: 9 carries for 36 rushing yards, plus 5 receptions for 44 receiving yards, totaling 80 yards from scrimmage.

For more from JR click here!

BucsReport.com