Another Piece Of Evidence Why The Bucs Signed Kenneth Gainwell
July 15th, 2026
Red zone rushing weapon?
OK, as Joe often has stated since the end of free agency, there is a reason why the Bucs are paying Kenneth Gainwell $7 million this year.
The most obvious reason was that last year Bucs running back Bucky Irving got hurt. Rachaad White was an OK short-yardage back — no better than just OK.
White is no Bucky when Bucky is healthy.
But while reading the Warren Sharp 2026 Football Preview, Joe learned what may be another reason why the Bucs signed Gainwell: The red zone rushing offense was dreadful last season.
The rushing success rate for the Bucs in the red zone was No. 27. Yards rushing in the red zone were No. 26.
When you cannot run (well) in the red zone, your offense is going to struggle to score points.
(Yes, Joe knows White did very well in the red zone at Seattle. The more Joe studies it, the more that game was a complete outlier last season.)
Passing the ball in the red zone, the Bucs weren’t bad, even though former Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard didn’t use a lot of play-action last year in the red zone (No. 28).
Granted, it didn’t help that Bucky missed a bunch of games last year.
So yeah, there’s a reason why the Bucs signed Gainwell: More options for weapons in the red zone.