Zac Robinson Raves About Kenneth Gainwell
May 16th, 2026
Big Kenneth Gainwell fan.
Joe likes to state the following because it is true.
The Bucs signed running back Kenneth Gainwell to a reported two-year, $14 million pact. That’s starter money. Per Spotrac.com, Gainwell is the No. 21 highest-paid running back in the 32-team NFL.
The Bucs did this for a reason. Perhaps Bucky Irving’s recent shoulder surgery has the team spooked? Regardless, Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson this week sure seemed stoked to land Gainwell.
“I think the first thing that sticks out with Kenny is he’s just a true pro,” Robinson said. “I mean, you can tell how intentional he is when he works. The tape was outstanding, really, from [his days in] Philly, when you watched him in Philly, [with] limited opportunities.
“And you saw last year [at Pittsburgh] just what he can do in an extended role. So, we’re super excited that [Gainwell’s contract] was able to get done, and then he was able to be here.”
To hear Robinson speak, it sounds as if Gainwell perfectly fits the Bucs’ “I Am That Man” ideal.
“Just being around him, he’s just a stud guy,” Robinson said. “Like a guy that you just want to be around. A guy that can ignite his teammates just by his style of play, the way he plays. And then the skill set is pretty cool.”
Robinson then seemed to suggest Gainwell and Bucky will be able to complement each other, sort of a ying and yang of a pair of running backs.
“Obviously, you got Bucky, who’s got a unique skill set,” Robinson said. “Kenny and [Bucky] kind of can match each other in certain ways with what they can do in the pass game.
“But the biggest thing that sticks out is just how intentional he is and how great of a worker he is, and just leads by example. He’s been awesome so far.”
Look, Joe’s not giving up on Bucky. Not even close. But again, Gainwell was brought in for a reason and at $7 million a year. He’s not just chained to special teams and a backup role.
Bucky’s talent didn’t just vanish overnight. He was hurt last year playing behind a trainwreck of an offensive line with a wet-behind-the-ears offensive coordinator who may not have been adept at scheming up a run game.
Robinson can scheme up a run game. So it would be cool to see how Robinson does with a bellcow back and a complementary back.
Robinson pulled this off in Atlanta with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgier. Why can’t Robinson do the same with Bucky and Gainwell?
May 16th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Think Gainwell was a great signing. Too bad real fullback types like Alstott don’t really exist in the NFL anymore. It would be great to get a guy that can get a first down on 3rd and 1.
May 16th, 2026 at 11:13 am
Not worried about Robinson. Or Gainwell.
Am worried about Bucky. And Tez.
Bellcow backs need size to handle the abuse. And so do receivers.
Not a knock on either of them, but Bucky and Tez are built to be change of pace or gadget players. Gets the most out of them and gives the most to the team. Making them out to be full time superstars will make their careers nasty, brutish and short.
May 16th, 2026 at 11:14 am
What Buc4evr said. Get Vea some Goal Line work in camp.
Go Bucs!
May 16th, 2026 at 11:27 am
@garro
I’d love to see Bain get some snaps as a RB in goalline situations. 🙂
May 16th, 2026 at 11:47 am
I know Garro is an old OLineman and it is fun watching a big ugly getting the ball in the red zone. I still prefer my OLine getting a push and the running back slam it in. Call me old fashioned.
May 16th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Bucky bring it bro get Paid .
May 16th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Who is a “bell cow back” on this team? Certainly, it isn’t Bucky. It’s not Gainwell. Drove Rachaad away. When can we expect to see this figment of imagination? Bucky and Gainwell combined may be able to carry the load but neither is a bell cow. We don’t even have a reliable 3rd down thumper. I like out guys but don’t get out too far on your skis. We should be able to game plan around it but there is no Bijan coming off the bench. We’ll need to be an air- raid style offense with play action and zone running. I doubt we can survive on a 50/50 split. We have quite a few good players on offense. Using their talent correctly with a quality scheme
Will determine our success. Coen figured it out. Hopefully, Zac can too.
May 16th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
We can’t blame Bucky failures on injuries
Go back to the preseason game against the Steelers backups
What did Bucky do in the opener against the Falcons?
Bucky stunk the field last season
He should have been Rachaad White backup
He was good in 2024, but so was other players
You have to be consistent in the NFL
If Zac stick with an ineffective Bucky, he won’t be here for long
May 16th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
As one who is known to speculate from time to time, I noticed an absolute “beauty” from Joe in the Ira podcast.
I’m not a wagering man but a small wager on Zac either becoming the next Bucs head coach or the Jags new OC next year just might pay off.
Tip of the critical thinking cap to Mr. I.
May 16th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
I can’t disagree that Bucky should have been behind White last year. Yes the line, guards were flat awful, but White ran behind the same line and did much better. That leaves 2 things, injuries or mental. Hopefully Bucky does well this year. I agree I am not really worried about Bucky, especially with Gainwell.
I am truly worried about the secondary with Morrison and McColumn being starting CB’s. I think expecting McColumn to have a big time about face is fantasy. What has changed where he suddenly has now becomes a dynamic corner?. Truly I am puzzled . I think it is a huge gamble. Morrison, maybe he has upside we have not seen. I mean last year was his first year. However, he had constant injuries and when he did make the field, He was not to good. I mean can he stay healthy and develop?. Yes he deserves a chance, but at a starting position?. I don’t know but something better change in the secondary with those 2, or the Bucs are in big trouble. I mean the offense will need to score 40 points a game to win because Morrison and McColumn are being exposed on a regular basis.
Yeah Bucky is not a concern
May 16th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
I don’t understand using the word intentional to compliment somebody. What- he does things on purpose instead of by accident? Lol
May 16th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Joe … ‘And no, Joe’s not turning the page on Bucky. We all saw what he did in 2024. That talent didn’t just vanish overnight.’
Bucky ran for an awesome 1122 yards rushing in 207 attempts in his rookie 2024 season … 5.4 YPC average. Interesting that a lot of that came from some very long runs (and that certainly helps one’s average). In Bucky’s case, if you add up his longest run in each game, you come up with 403 yards on 17 runs (23.7 YPC on those is a nice average BTW). For kicks, subtract that ONE longest run for each game, and you end up with 719 yards on 190 rushes … 3.8 YPC average for well over 90% of his other runs. That’s a lot closer to Bucky’s 3.4 YPC average in 2025 than the 5.4 YPC was.
Bucky’s the type of runner who’ll hit it big every so often; he was very good at explosive plays in 2024 especially. Part of that was probably because he ran behind an excellent (and healthy) OLine in 2024. Part of it was that he was healthy the whole year. Part of it ws possibly that we had Liam Coen directing the offensive attack. And part of it was likely because 2024 was NFL defenses first exposure to Bucky Irving; they didn’t have much tape on him to figure out his tendencies.
Things changed dramatically for Bucky in 2025, but mostly because he didn’t get nearly as many explosive plays, and that hurt his average big-time (5.4 down to 3.4 YPC). Fewer games – yes. Some injuries – for sure. Musical chairs OLine – oh ya. Different OC – yup. But we can’t dismiss the fact that NFL defenses had lots of film on Bucky in 2025, and they probably adjusted also. And the fear that 2026 will be a repeat of 2025 for Bucky as opposed to 2024 MAY have been what drove the Bucs to sign Kenny Gainwell.
May 16th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Gainwell is a player,from 2 tough great organizations hes durable..Being familiar with both teams and him,hes gonnamake everyone say”Buckywho” ! Trade Bucky now that hes getting healthy and you can get a good return Go Bucs!
May 16th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
What’s this rumour I hear that Zacs going to run more spread?
May 16th, 2026 at 2:15 pm
BRING BACK DUNN & PUT HIM WITH GAINWELL.
May 16th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
Robertson should have a huge impact on the offense. The Bucs couldn’t afford GRIZZARD learning on the job. I feel confident he will have the offense scoring more touchdowns. Injuries won’t be a factor this year. The Bucs lost close games last year. The Bucs will be catching teams by surprise and the defense has alot of potential of helping the Bucs win close games.
2025 is in the rear view mirror 🪞
May 16th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
I wish we had one big back on the roster for goal line and short yardage. I suspect we could still sign one before camp starts if Bucky is not recovered from surgery.
May 16th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
I expect Gainwell & Irving to split close to 50/50. Neither is a bell cow IMO. If one has the hot hand, he might get more carries for that game… but it will vary game to game. This will help them both last the season with less injuries I think. Mix in a little Tucker for good measure. None of them are large bell cow type RBs, all on the smallish size but with Tucker you have the speed and some power. Our two headed starters are pretty similar in size, build and catching ability. It’s Robinson’s job the make the most of them.
May 16th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
Joes; of course he fits that ideology…he was the MVP of the Steelers team…they dont give that out to just anyone…we got a dog and a stand up team mate! One of the best off season acquisitions that we’re not talking about enough! Love it
May 16th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
Rachaad White was a dangerous pass catching back but he was one of the worst running the ball. Bucky helped White improve last year but he was still subpar. Gainwell and Bucky are both good at running and pass catching. I think the Bucs will improve in this area.
May 16th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
Tony Says:
May 16th, 2026 at 2:15 pm
“BRING BACK DUNN & PUT HIM WITH GAINWELL”
Some people should not have access to comment sections….. just WOW, WHY? WHY would anyone say something so ridiculous and moronic?
May 16th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
@ Mikehunt I like Ricky Bell!
May 16th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
Bijan is elite and Allgier was better than anyone the Bucs have. They should be trying to trade with Arizona to get him.
May 16th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
zac thinks gainwell is his bijan, watch he will be featured
May 16th, 2026 at 6:00 pm
okay……so there is def something up with bucky….
big time…
and it’s none of our biz
May 16th, 2026 at 6:00 pm
the storyline shall play out this season……stay tuned
May 16th, 2026 at 10:40 pm
I would be very surprised if Bucky is a major factor again…….. He’s a smaller back that got rammed in the middle and absolutely got killed by NFL size players……. I hope it’s just a shoulder thing and he can continue the first Guy mess situation, but he has to truly accelerate North immediately…….. he’s way better than Rashad White but you have to go north as soon as someone misses not 6 inches left not 8 inches right you have to go north !! and by the way that lessens your hits a lot !!
By the way, these are things that bowles and Licht , absolutely have zero clue of