Bucs QB has his back.

Watching new Bucs running back Kenny Gainwell reminds Joe of dudes in the NFL from way back who were trick-shot artists.

Those smallish guys had a play sheet just for them. After their play was successful (or wasn’t), the player came out of the game.

Baker Mayfield said Gainwell is not that type of player. At all.

“He’s much more than the gadget guy,” Mayfield said yesterday after Bucs practice. “I’ve just been completely overwhelmed with the amount of talent that he has.

“I didn’t know until a little later in the spring, more towards minicamp, that he was a receiver going into college. He was a slot receiver at Memphis, and it explains why he’s so smooth running routes.”

But, Mayfield said, there is a reason Gainwell is a running back.

“Just his run game – he stays true to his tracks, he reads his blocks really, really well. I thought he has been a huge addition for us, but just another spark to give Bucky [Irving] a spell.

“‘K.G.’ is … a veteran presence, a leader, a guy that leads by example and continues to help set the tone for us on offense.”

Joe sees Gainwell as almost a Bucky Irving clone, only Gainwell can dish out a little more physicality.

Obviously, the Bucs didn’t sign Gainwell to have him sit the bench. He and Bucky might be the perfect combo in that neither can be a bellcow for a full season, and each is starter quality.

Joe doesn’t think Gainwell or Bucky can absorb full-time punishment. See Bucky’s 2025 season for an example; and Gainwell has never averaged more than 11 touches a game for aseason.