A “Make Or Break” Season For Bucky Irving?
September 3rd, 2026
Sink or swim season?
This is a little harsh, but Joe can understand why someone came to the following conclusion.
When Bucky Irving was a rookie, he ranked 10th in the NFL in rushing with 1,122 yards and was 15th in the league with eight touchdowns.
Not shabby for a fourth-round pick who only started three games.
Last year, however, was a forgettable year as he battled several issues, most notably injuries. He then had shoulder surgery after the season.
But it seems Frank Schwab of Yahoo! is about ready to turn the page on Bucky. Schwab typed an article of 10 NFL players who are entering a make-or-break season, and Schwab includes Bucky.
Irving was electric as a rookie. Then, last season, he was injured and his production plummeted. Perhaps the injuries were the only reason for that. But there are still questions about whether Irving is healthy, and also whether he was a mid-round rookie sensation who can’t replicate that level. The Bucs’ addition of Kenneth Gainwell gives Tampa Bay another option if Irving plays like he did last season. At very least it appears Gainwell has a big share of the running back duties, based on preseason usage. That doesn’t help Irving, who won’t get endless chances to show he’s a top-tier back.
Joe’s not remotely close to throwing in the towel on Bucky but Joe doesn’t believe there is any question he’s going to have less touches this year. NFL teams don’t pay running backs $7 million a year (Kenny Gainwell) to ride the bench and suck down water.
At worst, Gainwell will split the touches at running back with Bucky. With less wear and tear, Bucky should be back to his rookie form, and probably should be fresher for November and December.
September 3rd, 2026 at 3:51 am
Having the ’24 line back won’t hurt either, knock on wood.
September 3rd, 2026 at 6:36 am
I’m old enough to remember when 1,122 rookie rushing yards bought you more than a 12-month warranty. “Make or break” in Year 3? NFL patience now has the shelf life of gas-station sushi.
September 3rd, 2026 at 6:38 am
Play calling may have been part of the drop off in production.
September 3rd, 2026 at 6:40 am
Offensive line was the problem last year!
September 3rd, 2026 at 6:45 am
I have to agree with Schwab. It really is a make or break year for Irving. He’s signed through 2027 but none of the money is guaranteed. If he should prove to be fragile, there’s no reason to think the Bucs would extend him next year if not cut him.
Gainwell is signed through 2027, as well.
September 3rd, 2026 at 6:51 am
The decimated OL had a lot to do with that dropoff I should say. Nevertheless, shoulder injuries can be devastating for a running back. If he lost some of his range of motion there could be some catches that are more difficult to make. Reinjuries are also common. I’m not throwing in the towel either but the caution displayed by the front office is warranted and their actions to mitigate the effect on the running game (i.e. signing Gainwell) was prudent.
September 3rd, 2026 at 6:53 am
@Todd,
They are doing the same with qb’s. It would be interesting to take a futures bet on which discarded qb will be next to blossom.
I can’t help but think of Anthony Richardson and his career arc so far:
Be labeled a project
Shoot up draft boards due to athleticism, but still be labeled a project and patience is needed
Play him Day 1
Move on because he doesn’t win at the start of his career
Now, he could certainly be a failed project. But damn, way to ruin a kid.
September 3rd, 2026 at 6:56 am
And about that OL last year. I mentioned a few months ago a little Google AI research shows the Bucs used the 2nd most T-G-C combinations in the league last year. Zero continuity.
The most? The Panthers. But if I remember correctly some of theirs were just because people they kept putting in sucked and got replaced where our guys just kept dropping like flies
September 3rd, 2026 at 7:04 am
Bucky will be fine for NFL but not for Fantasy.
September 3rd, 2026 at 7:10 am
can we please get back to :
go bucky go…
run bucky run…
score bucky score…
will the real bucky please stand up
September 3rd, 2026 at 7:11 am
Yawn
September 3rd, 2026 at 7:18 am
Did anyone ever get any clarity on the metal issues he was having after the injury last year? Rumor has it he’s a head case. I’m glad to have gainwell but think we will miss Rashad.
September 3rd, 2026 at 7:22 am
Can’t run anywhere if the opposing D-Line is already waiting for you in the backfield. It was so bad last year, no time at all to slip away.
But here’s hoping that the O-Line stays healthy enough.
Play-calling should be better too. Optimism is always around at this time of year.
September 3rd, 2026 at 7:45 am
It had something to do with the injuries whether they were his own or to the OLine, but what has as big an impact on his performance was the volume he was asked to take on as a ball handler and some of the looks he was given.
Rachaad played more games behind to same beat up OL and maintained an average <4.0 yards a carry, the issue is he played in more games than Irving and had less rush attempts which is partly why Grizz was 1 & done.
September 3rd, 2026 at 7:59 am
Frank Schwab obviously didn’t do his homework and submitted a Chat-GPT article. If he had seen any practices this season, he would have seen how Bucky is back to his ’24 self with quickness and intensity. Bucky will have a great year if his snaps are managed.
September 3rd, 2026 at 8:00 am
I’m not making any excuses for these players
Injuries are part of the game, coaching changes are normal
Bucky Irving sucked last season, he was horrible
If you’re so injured, then don’t play
There’s healthy players we can turn to
September 3rd, 2026 at 8:42 am
How could anyone write anything reliable regarding workload based on preseason – it was the Tucker/Williams show
September 3rd, 2026 at 8:46 am
Lakeland, if a player won’t sit when he is hurt, it’s the coached job to sit him.
September 3rd, 2026 at 8:46 am
Coaches- not coach
September 3rd, 2026 at 8:49 am
Way too many variables to predict how Bucky will fare this year. How will he be used in the new scheme? Will Gainwell take away too many touches? Will the O-line return to form and suffer no injuries? Is Bucky still hampered by his injuries or will he suffer re-injury? Does Zac call better plays and have the better run scheme? Will we be a run team or a passing team. Will Bucky or Gainwell get the bulk of the receptions? Trying to forecast Bucky’s stat line is like predicting the weather daily in a Florida summer. Good luck with that. Try not to lose your money.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:08 am
“Lakeland, if a player won’t sit when he is hurt, it’s the coached job to sit him”
It took for an ankle injury against Philly to find out Bucky was playing with a bum shoulder. Kind of hard to know the details of 1 of 53 players health, when he’s not being honest about that type of stuff and got the side-eye from me because that’s some BS on Buckys’ part.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:24 am
How many of those guys on the O Line are not even on the team any more, some are not even in the NFL. Grizz was not ready for the job. I can not issue an edict on any running back or QB based upon 2025.
So barring injuries if these guys don’t produce, RB’s and QB’s, then a cleaning of the house needs to happen and the Bucs will need 5 years to get back to here.
All the old guard on Offense and Defense will be gone. Bucs will be younger and hungry perhaps. Painful to watch if this happens.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:35 am
JimBob has Bucky penciled in as a first team all pro, or at least top back on his defunct pro bowl ballot based on how great Bucky looked during practice.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:35 am
Injured line
Neophyte play caller who couldn’t scheme the run
Mis used in 2025
Bucky isn’t the 20 plus touch RB. He’s the 10-15 touch guy who needs to be used correctly. Bucs coaching failed the team in 25, in all three phases of the game
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:20 am
I anticipate Bucky to start Q1 & Q2….then get relief before coming back fresh later in the games. I think the plan is wear the defense down by Q4, then unleash a healthy/fresh Bucky to rip off nice runs. Frankly I thought Tucker could have been that role and really punished defenses mid game with his size and style of running but apparently his pass blocking/catching just isn’t up to par.
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:30 am
There are multiple factors to his performance last year versus the previous year, the offensive scheme and playcalling, injuries etc. He showed glimpses of his rookie season magic. But he does have to establish himself as that guy who can do it consistently year in and year out. That, I think is a fair statement, so having a productive year will kind of help establish that. That said, the O-Line has to do better. Pray for health and the new OC putting them in position to be successful. I think he can do it.
If he is not 100%, I wouldn’t put him out there. Gainwell and Tucker can carry the load. We are kinda lucky in that way.
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:47 am
Man I’m really of the mind that feels nervous about Zach and can he than I am Bucky. It was ugly all over when the first team was out on the field
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:35 am
Make or break is overstating it. It’s important that he succeeds this year, but that’s as far as you need to go with it.
September 3rd, 2026 at 12:18 pm
It’s a “make or break” season for the BUCS. If he has a Top-15 caliber season, and the Bucs are at 5-4 and looking ‘ok’ (for them)… The new HC (and GM) can move him next offseason, for 2027 Draft Capital. If he’s having a Top-15 caliber season and the Bucs are 3-6, then they can move him at the trade-deadline, for 2027 Draft Capital. Otherwise, he has 1-more season left in a Bucs uniform, after this season… Where he will then be forced to compete for the ‘starting’ RB position, under a brand new HC (and GM). Hopefully, he’s at least an average starter, so that maybe, we can at least get SOMETHING for him.