Bleacher Report raised a fair question about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ backfield coming out of the 2026 NFL Draft, and it centers on whether Bucky Irving can handle a larger role moving forward.
The concern is not about his ability in space, but whether that translates to consistent production across a full workload. His 2025 game log reflects the issue. Irving posted multiple outings below 3.0 yards per carry, including 2.6 against Atlanta, 2.6 against the Jets, and 2.1 against Miami. Even when the volume was there, the efficiency did not follow, such as his 26 carries for 85 yards against Carolina, which came out to 3.3 yards per attempt. There were flashes, including 4.2 yards per carry against Houston and Philadelphia, but those performances did not stack week to week.
Irving has shown he can contribute and run effectively in the right situations, but he has not consistently handled the workload expected of a lead back. Availability also factors into the discussion, making it harder to project him as a reliable every-down option over the course of a season.
Tampa Bay enters 2026 without a fully defined backfield hierarchy, and that leaves the door open for competition. Even with opportunity available, the expectation should be a shared workload until someone proves they can separate, which is where Irving still has ground to make up.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Can Bucky Irving bounce back in 2026? There are doubts
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
