Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker And Sharing The Rock
March 20th, 2026
Sharing carries in 2026?
Is Bucky Irving still the Bucs’ No. 1 back?
If you trust the figures from OverTheCap.com — Joe was told by an NFL suit at the combine with intimate knowledge of capology to be very careful taking those figures as Gospel — new Bucs running back/special teams stud Kenneth Gainwell counts $7 million against the cap.
That’s almost as much as Luke Goedeke, more than Zyon McCollum and more than Cade Otton, all starters.
It is because of this Matthew Berry of NBC/Rotoworld isn’t so sure Bucky Irving will be the Bucs’ No. 1 back this year. Or at least, Bucky may not be a bellcow back.
Berry types that the Bucs didn’t bring in Gainwell, or bring back Sean Tucker, just to sit on the pine and suck Gatorade on gamedays.
The Buccaneers went out and signed Kenneth Gainwell coming off a season in which he set career highs in touches (187) and scrimmage yards (1,023), on his way to finishing top five among RBs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. You don’t get a guy performing that well to not play him. Gainwell’s pass-catching ability is the biggest concern for Bucky Irving’s fantasy prospects.
And in addition to signing Gainwell, the Bucs also brought back Sean Tucker who finished last season as their preferred goal-line option.
During Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht’s sitdown this week with select media, he noted that Bucs new special teams coach Danny Smith, late of the Steelers, was heavy panting for Licht to sign Gainwell, who played special teams with the Steelers as well.
Perhaps the Bucs are spooked by Bucky’s injuries? He sure missed a lot of time with a bad shoulder and some other bumps and bruises.
But Berry does have a valid point: You don’t bring in Gainwell and bring back Tucker just as backups and special teams dudes.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:27 am
Kenny Gainwell has only missed 2 games in his 5 yrs in the league so durability is there; not so with Bucky. I think we’ll see a RB-by-committee approach this season, but with Gainwell getting the most offensive snaps & touches.
After last year’s issues & performance, Bucky has a lot to prove. Can he stay on the field? Can he better his 3.4 YPC rushing average? Can he continue as a quality receiving threat? It’s gonna be an interesting year for Bucky.
March 20th, 2026 at 5:22 am
Excited about the running backs situation. The Bucs liked what they found in Bucky so they went out and got a more durable version. So now there are three backs with excellent vision, something that White lacked from behind the line, and two of them are adequate blockers (sorry Sean). For those worried about Bucky’s attitude towards having another Bucky type back on the team, all the Bucs have to do is show him what happens to a running back who becomes negative towards his team. Ergo, White’s signing for less than Sean and a one year deal.
March 20th, 2026 at 5:28 am
The signing of Gainwell is probably the best move of this off-season solidifying the running back position. Last thing anybody should be worried about is the running back position. How about that Putrid pass rush?
March 20th, 2026 at 5:34 am
Well frankly this may be partially due to Bucky’s own doing. SOMETHING seemed to be going on besides an unlucky injury. Don’t be going all Doug Martin on us ok, I’ll just put it like that. This is prob for the best regardless. He has excellent vision, really good player when healthy but he dosnt have elite physical traits like Jahmyr Gibbs, McCaffery, Bijan etc. Not gnna hurt my feelings if Gainwell is the one playing in the 4th on a critical drive to salt the game away, just want to win
March 20th, 2026 at 6:05 am
sad but maybe Bucky is mentally unstable. he went in the dumps after getting hurt