With Bucky Irving healthy and Kenneth Gainwell arriving from Pittsburgh, Skip Peete’s versatile backfield duo aims to revitalize Tampa Bay’s rushing attack through elite dual-threat production.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back coach Skip Peete views Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker as every-down backs, but only the season will tell who earns the majority of reps as the starter.
Irving has not returned to form after dealing with shoulder and ankle injuries that plagued his second year. He went from a 1,000-yard rusher in his rookie season to under 600 yards last season.
The talent is abundant for the former Oregon Duck. Irving added 392 receiving yards on 47 receptions in 2024, and while injuries limited him to 10 games last year, he cashed in three touchdowns on 30 receptions and 277 receiving yards.
While Tampa Bay's 125th pick made the most of his injury-plagued season, the Buccaneers signed Kenneth Gainwell, a former Pittsburgh Steeler, to bolster their running back depth.
Gainwell is coming off a career year with the Steelers, posting over 1,000 total yards in coach Mike Tomlin's last season with the franchise. He ran for 537 yards and five touchdowns on 117 carries, and hauled in 73 receptions for 486 yards and three touchdowns.
Peete highlighted the similarities between Gainwell and Irving, who both offer versatility in the backfield and impact the game in various ways.
"They're both capable of obviously running the ball well as far as running routes, catching it out of the backfield," Peete told reporters on Tuesday after the Buccaneers' rookie minicamp. "Obviously, they're not very large people, but they're willing pass protectors that are willing to do that, and they've both showcased they can do that."
Alongside Irving and Gainwell is Sean Tucker, who signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Peete said he shows flashes and will continue to get better.
Tucker has become a stable presence for the running back group since his second season. He's rushed for 628 yards and nine touchdowns on 136 carries in the last two seasons and played every game.
The running back trio could help the Buccaneers revive a rushing game that ranked 21st last season (114.5 yards per game). Tampa Bay had the fourth-best rushing attack in 2024, running for 142.9 yards per game.
Offensive coordinator Zach Robinson could help revitalize his new team's running game, evidenced by his deployment of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allegier last year with the Atlanta Falcons.
"The things they did with Bijan, things they did with Allegier, I think, are very similar to a lot of things we did with Bucky and with Chaad (Rachaad White) back when he was here," Peete said.
The Buccaneers' running back room is deep and talented. Irving was a 1,000-yard rusher before injuries derailed his sophomore campaign, Gainwell had a career season at Pittsburgh, and Tucker is a consistent, reliable depth piece when called upon.
Peete views all of them as every-down backs, but there is only one football to carry, and only one can emerge out of the pack as the leader.
"Right now, I kind of see them all as first, second and third down guys," Peete said. "And then as the season approaches, we have to kind of determine and decide on who's going to be in those exact roles."
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!