The season hasn't gone according to plan for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs are 3-6 and have been fighting just to keep their season alive since stumbling out of the gates with an 0-4 start.

Tampa Bay has gone 3-2 since, and has established an identity with the NFL's best rushing attack and a terrific defense. That combination has created a formula for winning, and the Bucs are only a half-game out of first place in the NFC South.

In a weak division, Tampa is likely the favorite once again. However, the Bucs made no moves at the trade deadline this past Tuesday, wasting an opportunity to either strengthen the team for a playoff push this year or to start planning for the future.

Even with a 3-6 record, the Bucs have several players who have exceeded expectations this season. Without these players having terrific individual seasons, the Bucs would most likely already be looking ahead to next year and beyond.

Here are the Buccaneers' top three most pleasant surprises at the bye week:

1. RB Bucky Irving: Irving has put the entire offense on his back this season. The third-year RB had a disappointing, injury-plagued 2025 campaign but has rebounded in a big way this season. 

Through nine weeks, Irving is fourth in the NFL with 825 rushing yards, is averaging a terrific 4.9 yards per carry, and has seven touchdowns on the ground. He has also chipped in with 22 receptions and one receiving TD. 

Tampa’s passing game is last in the league, averaging 141.9 yards per game. Without Irving, who knows how bad the Bucs’ record would be?

2. CBs Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish: Tampa’s starting cornerbacks have been terrific this season.

Like Irving, McCollum has put his nightmarish 2025 season in the rearview mirror and has played like an All-Pro this year. McCollum already has four interceptions, tied for the third-most in the NFL, 35 total tackles, and is tied for second with 11 PBUs.

Parrish has excelled in his second season, even after switching from Tampa’s slot CB to the outside. Still only 22 years old, Parrish leads the league with 14 PBUs despite missing a game, and has two INTs and 39 total tackles. 

Together, the pairing of McCollum and Parrish has shut down some of the best WR duos and passing offenses in the NFL. 

Tampa’s CB room was thought to potentially be a weakness heading into the season. Instead, it has been one of the team’s greatest strengths. 

3. OLB David Walker: After missing his entire rookie season last year, Walker has taken off in his first year of NFL action. 

Despite limited playing time, Walker leads the team with four sacks. His overall grade of 78.1 from PFF ranks 16th out of 110 qualified edge rushers, while his 81.4 pass-rush grade ranks sixth. 

The Bucs’ pass rush was expected to be led by first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr., last year’s sack leader YaYa Diaby, and free agent signing Al-Quadin Muhammad. However, Walker has gone from being buried on the depth chart to the team’s most disruptive and effective pass rusher.