Bucky Irving
Getty
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 30: Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while they have spent some time trying to build up their team, they haven’t necessarily had many players that they were willing to trade away themselves. That could all change according to Pro Football Focus, as they say that Bucky Irving could end up being the Bucs’ most tradable asset.
The questions surrounding Bucky Irving concern the impact he can still have in this offense. While the Bucs have traded away fellow running back partner Rachaad White, they also signed Kenneth Gainwell, potentially signifying a change in mentality about the room.
Irving’s Value: Production vs. Durability
While it would be painful to see a homegrown talent leave the Bucs for pastures news, the Bucs have instilled in Irving the most value he could potentially ever have in a RB market that could not feel more open. After all, his rookie season will leave positive memories in teams’ minds. He 1,122 yards showed his efficiency in short bursts.
However, throughout his career, he has been unreliable, missing multiple games due to injuries. Last season, he missed seven games with injury compared to none in his rookie year. That goes to show that perhaps the Bucs don’t want to take that caveat despite the production. Last year, he still ran for 588 yards on 173 carries.
Should the Bucs Move Irving or Stay Patient?
Those stats in a market for running backs that never felt more desperate could help the Bucs get a decent return for him. There are several needy teams out there, including the Super Bowl champion Seahawks that could wish to take a flyer on Irving. General manager Jason Licht would just have to weigh the different options he will face before making a final decision on Irving’s fate.
For the Bucs, it will come down to which two backs can prove to be the most trustworthy in new OC Zac Robinson’s offense. Kenneth Gainwell has never been the RB1 in his entire career, and only really showed flashes of his potential last season in Pittsburgh. Sean Tucker as well has never had the experience needed to step into a bigger role.
If the Bucs and Robinson decide to trade away Irving, they may want to consider drafting a running back next month, but they would still have one of the most inexperienced running back rooms in the league. At least Irving provides the experience needed to be a leader in that position group.
Zac Robinson is all too familiar with using two backs in his offensive schemes, as his time with the Falcons showed. Despite Bijan Robinson emerging as one of the best RBs in the entire league, he still had space to find Tyler Allgeier a role in the offense. As a result, Allgeier signed a lucrative deal with the Cardinals this offseason.
Perhaps the best way to asses the situation would be if the Bucs kept Irving for one more season. Still under his rookie deal, the Bucs can assess how he performs in his third season before he becomes a free agent for the first time.