Who Should I Start? Cam Akers or Kenneth Gainwell

Saturday, February 7, 12:06 PM

The Seattle Seahawks have elevated running back Cam Akers from the practice squad ahead of their Super Bowl LX matchup with the Patriots. Seattle signed the six-year veteran before a Week 13 matchup with the Vikings, and he was made active for Seattle's regular-season finale against the 49ers, seeing the field for only one snap. With Zach Charbonnet (knee) tearing his ACL in the Seahawks' Divisional Round rubber match with San Francisco, Akers was made active for the NFC Championship, again seeing the field for only one snap. Along with Akers, Seattle has activated Velus Jones Jr., though neither is expected to have any impact on the game. George Holani, who carried the ball three times for four yards against the Rams, will continue to serve as the primary backup to Kenneth Walker III.

Tuesday, February 24, 8:07 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said the team has been in communication with impending free-agent running back Kenneth Gainwell and "expressed a desire to have him return," according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Gainwell is set to hit the free-agent market next month after winning team MVP honors in 2025 in his first season with the organization. The 26-year-old was heavily involved in Pittsburgh's offense last year, setting career-highs in carries (114), rushing yards (537), rushing touchdowns, catches (73), targets (85), receiving yards (486), and receiving touchdowns (three) in 17 regular-season games. He will never be a workhorse back in the NFL, but Gainwell proved in 2025 that he has the skills to be effective in a dual-threat role. At the very least, he should be a priority target in PPR leagues as at least an RB3/flex if he returns to the Steel City for a second season.