Tampa Bay’s backfield is starting to look a lot more dangerous, and the new wrinkle is simple: put Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell on the field together and let the defense sort it out.
That’s the shape of Zac Robinson’s early answer at offensive coordinator. In training camp, he’s been deploying the two backs side by side in what’s commonly called a “pony package” or 21 personnel, giving the Buccaneers a look that can stress a defense in a hurry. It also gives Baker Mayfield a pair of easy targets - either out of the backfield or aligned in the slot.
Irving is back to full health, and that alone should give Tampa’s run game a lift. A shoulder injury limited him to 10 games last season after he broke out as a rookie two years ago, but he has looked like himself this offseason. Pewter Report pointed to one of the bigger camp plays coming out of the two-back look.
"The biggest run of the day was out of the pony package, when Irving took the carry on a delayed handoff, accelerated through the middle of the field, and was able to speed down the field," Pewter Report wrote. "Not only would it have been a game-changing run, but the “Bucky, Bucky, Bucky” chants made it feel like a regular-season moment.”
The production from Irving in 2024 was already enough to show why Tampa wants him featured. He piled up 1,514 total yards and eight touchdowns and effectively stepped into Rachaad White’s role as the RB1.
The numbers around his early career have been strong, too. According to PFSN’s running back impact metric, Irving was the highest-graded rookie back over the last five seasons at 88.5, ahead of Steelers rookie tailback Najee Harris, who checked in at 81.0.
Gainwell has brought his own buzz to camp. Tampa signed him to a two-year, $14 million deal after a standout season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said he was making noise right away last Thursday.
"Sometimes alongside Bucky Irving in two-tailback "pony" sets, Gainwell made plays all over the field Thursday, particularly in the passing game. His presence is obvious, and he's usually one of the first names mentioned when talking to people with the team about the offense," Fowler said.
"Irving is a proven contributor and is eager to rebound after a down season. But Gainwell is a good stash option for a high volume of receptions mixed with timely runs."
Last season, Gainwell caught a career-high 73 passes in his lone year with the Steelers and QB Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers got the ball out quickly and leaned on Gainwell as a dump-off option, letting the back create after the catch and make defenders miss in space.
That’s exactly the kind of versatility Tampa seems eager to tap into. Jason Klingensmith of Roundtable wrote in mid-July about the potential punch the Bucs now have at running back.
"According to PFF, Tampa's top two running backs, Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell, ranked among the best safety-blanket receivers in the league last season," Klingensmith wrote. "Even if a defense can get pressure on Mayfield, Tampa has not only one, but two, of the very best security pass-catchers under pressure in the NFL."
For the Buccaneers, the appeal is obvious. Gainwell’s pass-catching ability gives Robinson another way to keep the offense moving, while also helping preserve Mayfield and Irving over the course of the season. And in a scheme built around motion, his presence can also serve as a decoy, which only adds another layer to what Tampa is trying to build.
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