Fiction Stenographer Expects Big Year For Kenneth Gainwell
July 5th, 2026
Big time upside?
Joe may have found the perfect term for fantasy writers.
“Fiction writers.”
Now Barry Switzer back in the day used to derisively nag sportswriters as “fiction writers,” specifically when something anti-Sooners was written.
Especially this century, dudes typing about make-believe numbers became “fantasy sports writers.” But what is fantasy? It’s Star Wars, it’s Star Trek, it’s J.R.R. Tolkien. (For Joe, “fantasy” is a seductive brunette on a secluded tropical island… but Joe digresses.)
Hence, fiction writers!
So BSPN has a fiction writer by the name of Eric Moody who pictures a scene where Bucs running back Kenneth Gainwell transforms from part-time to maybe big-time in the NFL this fall.
Kenny Gainwell’s role could be larger than expected in Tampa Bay. From Week 8 on last season, Gainwell, then a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, averaged 13.3 touches and 17.8 fantasy points per game. He was also a capable receiver out of the backfield, ranking near the top of the position in yards per route run during that stretch. Rachaad White is gone, and Bucky Irving is projected for 61% of the touches for the Buccaneers, leaving Gainwell with standalone appeal and RB2 upside if his role grows.
(For Joe, “standalone appeal” in fantasy terms conjures Hannah White — but again, different story.)
Well, as Joe has repeatedly typed, the Bucs didn’t drop $7 million a season in Gainwell’s lap just to play special teams. And Joe isn’t so sure the Bucs want to make Bucky Irving a bellcow.
Gainwell likely isn’t a bellcow either. He’s a little guy. But again, check the salary. Per Spotrac.com, Gainwell will earn the 16th-most for a running back this year.
Guys getting paid that kind of bread aren’t going to sit. And given how much Bucky got beat up last year, it would not shock Joe if Gainwell got as many if not more touches than Bucky in 2026.
July 5th, 2026 at 8:10 am
Bucky is done. He had a magic run. That’s all it was.
Tucker could be the Earnest Graham of this generation.
July 5th, 2026 at 8:34 am
The crowd erupting into Bucky! Bucky! was a result of excitement. 1100 rushing yards and 1500 total yards- as a rookie- shows talent that doesn’t come along every day. Talent combined with excitement can uplift an offense, or, really, an entire team. Gainwell should be a great addition. Tucker is solid. But Bucky kicking into 2024 mode would be a great thing for the team. And he very well might do that.
July 5th, 2026 at 10:07 am
I like the addition of Gainwell following the absence of White. I’m kinda expecting 1a 1b with Bucky and Tucker the 2a. If he is indeed here to take Whites spot, I don’t know how I feel about him returning kicks. Overuse could lead to injury. At the same time I won’t complain about special teams getting better than last year.
July 5th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Bucky should be RB2. A Darren Sproles-like, game changer. He’d be a 3rd down, red zone beast.
That’s evolved strategic thinking. Not really Bowles thing. So, let’s just run the tread off the tires and burn the kid out before his second contract.
July 5th, 2026 at 10:31 am
It’s a long season including preseason we need as many strong healthy diversified backs that can do many things and to have a winning record
July 5th, 2026 at 11:01 am
The guy who’ll be making 7 million this season is our starter. That’s Gainwell.
July 5th, 2026 at 11:13 am
We have to see how things go with Irving, remember the time on the sidelines bothered him mentally last season. If he shows any kind of weakness, could it be in his head hiding? I like him especially if he comes back strong, and lights it up again!! Gainwell is pretty awesome and we know he is special in what he does!! Can’t wait to see how this season could go.
Let’s Go Bucs!!!! Bain!! Love it!!
July 5th, 2026 at 11:36 am
Love that!
July 5th, 2026 at 11:48 am
2nd down problem? Solved!
July 5th, 2026 at 11:55 am
Again folks, use you eyes and re-watch the games. Bucky was just as explosive last year as he was in 2024. When he wasn’t being tackled in the backfield the second he received the handoff, Irving looked like the same Bucky fans fell in love with the year before.
Those offensive line breakdowns don’t help any running back’s yards per carry numbers.
Next Gen Stats recorded his broken tackle rate at 36.9%, which was the highest among all qualified NFL running backs.
July 5th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
Anyone predicting any success for any of these players with The Great Regressor helming the pirate ship onto the rocks is a fiction writer, like the Pom Pom girls who hallucinates here.
July 5th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
“Well, as Joe has repeatedly typed, the Bucs didn’t drop $7 million a season in Gainwell’s lap just to play special teams. And Joe isn’t so sure the Bucs want to make Bucky Irving a bellcow“
Yea, Gainwell might even be a bigger factor because he’s a really good replacement for Rachaad White. Undermentioned aspect of Grizz compare to Coen is that Liam would start games out with the greater dual threat. As far as right now, Gainwell is the RB. It’s going to be interesting to see how Robinson sorts this all out.
July 5th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Bucky may have been the same back (when healthy) but the run game sucked. Even in (worthless) preseason games (when Bucs were mostly healthy on the line) that run game did not look right. Reminded Joe of knothead Byron Leftwich’s run scheme.
Don’t think Grizzard knew how to craft a run offense — Liam Coen did! Zac Robinson seems to know how.
July 5th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
3 quality backs and a healthy line! Very optimistic!
July 5th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
^^^^^^^^^
🙄🤡
July 5th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
Sure. Be optimistic. ROTFLMAO
July 5th, 2026 at 2:49 pm
Why would one person or persons being optimistic bother other mf’ers so much ?