Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is looking to put his frustrating 2025 season behind him and return to being one of the top young RBs in the league.

As a rookie in 2024, Irving was a star, rushing for 1,122 yards and eight scores while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Injuries wrecked Irving's second season, limiting him to only 10 games and a paltry 3.4 YPC.

Irving looked like he was all the way back in Tampa's Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He was a bright spot for the Bucs' offense, which struggled with four turnovers in the 33-27 defeat. Even though one of those turnovers was a lost fumble by Irving, the 24-year-old kept the game from being even more lopsided.

He only had eight carries, but turned them into 45 yards (5.6 YPC) and a touchdown. Irving also showed what an asset he can be in the passing game, catching all seven of his targets for another 48 yards.

Irving's 15 touches were a solid workload for a running back who spent much of the offseason still recovering from last season's injuries.

The Bucs signed Kenneth Gainwell in free agency to form a dynamic backfield with Irving. The newcomer is excited to see what the duo can accomplish together.

Even though Irving was a huge part of the offense in Week 1, the Bucs want to get the ball in his hands even more.

On Thursday, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson spoke with reporters and expressed his desire for Irving to get even more touches than he did against Cincinnati.

Robinson was asked about Irving's performance against the Bengals and called it "exciting." Tampa's new OC also mentioned how Irving has looked great since training camp. He was one of the Bucs' best players on Sunday, and the team wants him even more involved going forward.

"Yeah, it was exciting. We talked about it, it feels like every time…Bucky has been a real bright spot at training camp. Seeing him out there and the energy he brings and just the ability to break tackles, and seeing the first play of the game go for a gain of nine and he's cutting it back and he's reading stuff out correctly and just playing football. He's an exciting football player. We'd love to get him even more touches. He had some plays in the pass game, but we've got to find as many ways as we can to keep getting him the rock."

Getting the ball in Irving's hands more is a great idea, especially if he continues to show the explosiveness he had in 2024.

It was a bit surprising to see Irving receive so much work in the passing game. Irving has always been a weapon as a receiver, but that is Gainwell's specialty. Last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he hauled in a career-high 73 receptions. However, on Sunday, Gainwell only had one catch for three yards.

Aside from his lost fumble, Irving was arguably the offense's most reliable player against Cincinnati.

If he can remain healthy. the third-year back should have an even larger role in the offense.

Having Irving play as he did as a rookie again will be a huge boost for the Bucs' offense. 

Expect a big game from Irving in Week 2 when the Bucs take on the Cleveland Browns, looking to get their first win of the season.