After a shoulder injury sidelined his sophomore surge, the explosive ball carrier is electrifying training camp with highlight-reel runs in Zac Robinson’s new motion-heavy offensive scheme.
Last season was a bizarre one for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as they looked like one of the top teams in the league, but fizzled out towards the end of the season.
Injuries to key contributors like Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield, and Bucky Irving stunted the offensive firepower, while the defense struggled with major inconsistencies.
For Irving, who burst onto the scene as a rookie two years ago, a lingering shoulder injury kept him limited to ten games played.
But, thus far through training camp, Irving has been a full participant, looking dynamic and refueled for a big junior campaign.
"Irving was given the most carries on Friday morning, as Kenny Gainwell was primarily utilized as a receiver out of the backfield,” Pewter Report noted. “The biggest run of the day was out of the pony package, when Irving took the carry on a delayed handoff, accelerated through the middle of the field, and was able to speed down the field. Not only would it have been a game-changing run, but the “Bucky, Bucky, Bucky” chants made it feel like a regular-season moment.”
These chants were extremely common during Irving's remarkable rookie season, as he took the league by storm and became Tampa's lead back.
In 2024, Irving recorded 1,514 total yards and eight touchdowns, effectively taking over Rachaad White's role as the RB1.
According to PFSN's running back impact metric, Irving was the highest-graded rookie back over the last five seasons (88.5), beating out Pittsburgh Steelers rookie tailback Najee Harris by a significant margin (81.0).
Every time Irving touched the ball, it seemed like he was going to make a play, using his speed and agility to shake defenders and pick up additional yardage.
While 2025 did not go the same for the former Oregon Duck, Irving says he is excited to play in new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's motion-oriented system.
"Every season is going to be different. Can't really live in the past," Irving said on Wednesday. "Just being able to lean on our new offensive coordinator to get us the ball in good spots and we trust him."
Irving went on to say its a "day-by-day" process of getting better and acclimating to Robinson's system, before saying he is confident the offense will be able to execute at a high level.
Alongside Irving, the Bucs signed veteran tailback Kenneth Gainwell in free agency.
Gainwell is a big-time receiving threat out of the backfield, having recorded a career high 73 receptions in his lone season with the Steelers.
Roundtable's Jason Klingensmith noted the potential 1-2 punch that Tampa has formed in the backfield in mid-July.
"According to PFF, Tampa's top two running backs, Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell, ranked among the best safety-blanket receivers in the league last season," Klingensmith wrote. "Even if a defense can get pressure on Mayfield, Tampa has not only one, but two, of the very best security pass-catchers under pressure in the NFL."
Gainwell's durability and experience should also be beneficial to keeping Irving healthy and fresh, so he can return to his rookie-season form.
