Sudden Explosion

PHILADELPHIA – Perhaps with a bit of foreshadowing, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni took the podium on a nondescript Monday morning early in training camp wearing a “Kenneth Gainwell Football Camp” T-shirt.

While the endorsement offered another glimpse into Sirianni’s emotional intelligence and unwavering support of his players, it also, in a sense, symbolized the dawn of Gainwell’s summer emergence.

The fourth-year running back, approaching a contract year, doesn’t match the same allure as his position mate, Saquon Barkley. Nor does he provide the home-run hitting ability and upside of rookie Will Shipley.

Gainwell exists in rarified air in the Eagles backfield – a solid, if unspectacular, ball carrier who has earned the trust of the coaching staff due to his situational awareness, toughness and standout pass protection.

He’s never totaled more than 84 carries in a season, and you’d have to turn the clock back to his 2021 rookie campaign to find his career-high in rushing touchdowns (five).

With Barkley in the fold, and with a longer-term investment in fourth-round rookie Shipley, it would appear Gainwell’s shelf life is nearing expiration.

All of those preconceived notions can be cast aside at the moment, however, as the 25-year-old has dazzled throughout camp as a pass-catcher and pass protector, establishing himself as the Eagles’ most consistent running back behind Barkley.

He also appears to have returned as a more explosive player in Year 4, a focal point of Gainwell’s offseason.

“Just working on my quick-step explosiveness,” Gainwell said of how he approached the time between. “Going from, basically, 1-2 drive steps to longer strides. It’s just something I kind of worked on. It’s helped me.

“I’m pretty sure everybody’s like, ‘He’s a little bit explosive this year.’ I think I’ve been explosive, but it’s something that I had to understand about myself and continue to work on and get better at it. So, everything happens over time. We don’t just learn one thing in one night. So, that is something I work on.”

During the open practice at Lincoln Financial Field, Gainwell showcased his refinement, snaring a short pass on the far side of the field, putting a nifty move in space to shake linebacker Nakobe Dean to churn out extra yards.

Later in the session, on the final first-team rep of the evening, Gainwell slipped behind Dean this time to bring in the perfectly placed wheel route down the right sideline for a score.

The showing, in front of nearly 50,000, was consistent with what Gainwell has exhibited all summer long, carving up linebackers and safeties in the passing game and, almost as if fired from a cannon, pulling away after the catch.

He’s also served as a popular red zone option for Hurts during team drills due to his reliable hands and knack for burrowing forward in confined space.

While Gainwell might not possess otherworldly athleticism or blazing speed, the 2021 fifth-round pick has proven to simply be a good football player, the kind that every team needs.

The toughness and attitude as a blocker remains evident, especially when compared to the blocking-deficient Shipley.

While Gainwell’s resume is limited and the tread on his tires is minimal, he remains confident in his ability to assume a larger role if necessary in 2024.

“I wish I can,” Gainwell said. “And I don’t know what those days ahead of us will come to, but I’m praying on it and I’m continuing to do everything I have to do in practice to make sure it happens.”

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: RB Kenneth Gainwell does a drill last Thursday night at the Linc’s open practice.

Volume and consistency have eluded Gainwell in his three seasons with the Eagles, as he’s shouldered more of a complementary role behind first-teamers such as Miles Sanders, D’Andre Swift, and now, Barkley.

But that hasn’t deterred Gainwell from preparing for something more.

“I never had the opportunity,” Gainwell said. “But if that opportunity presents itself, I’ll be ready. I’ve always been ready. My mindset has always been laser focused. I’m just gonna continue to work on myself, work on my mentals, and continue to do everything I have to do.

“The small things, they’re most important and I’m gonna do everything I have to do to make sure that when that time comes, I’m ready.”

The running back room, considerably deeper than in previous seasons, starts and ends with Barkley.

But assessing the offense, now presided over by offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, there should theoretically be room for Gainwell to spread his wings.

For instance, when Moore oversaw the Cowboys’ offense, he implemented a two-headed rushing attack with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.

There’s also the pass-receiving element – a prominent dimension of Moore’s offenses – where Gainwell, the most natural pass-catcher on the roster, has an upper-hand.

The competition among the room has brought out the best as a collective.

“Oh, it’s very competitive,” Gainwell said, sporting a grin. “Will’s working hard, I’m working hard, Saquon’s working hard. You gotta give it up to Lew [Nichols].

“Every back in the running back room right now is working hard. We’re all picking each other’s brain to make sure we can come out strong and be the best on the field whenever we get our opportunity on it. So, it’s very competitive right now.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.