Rondé Barber isn’t buying a monster workload for Bucky Irving next season.
The former Buccaneers cornerback said on his radio show, via Joe Bucs Fan, that Irving and Kenny Gainwell will split touches in Tampa Bay’s backfield. Barber’s read is that Gainwell will take enough work to keep Irving from operating as a true bell cow, a concern tied directly to Irving’s injury-marred 2025 season.
That’s a sharp turn from the kind of breakout Irving delivered in his first full run as the team’s featured back. He cleared 1,000 yards and finished with double-digit touchdowns, but last season’s health issues derailed that momentum and left the Bucs searching for more stability on offense.
Barber still expects production, though not the kind fantasy managers might be hoping for. He predicted Irving will still reach 1,000 rushing yards, but added that Emeka Egbuka will get to 1,000 receiving yards first. That points to a passing game where Chris Godwin Jr.’s partner in crime and Baker Mayfield’s No. 2 wideout may carry more weight than the running game’s top name.
There’s also a broader backdrop here for Mayfield and the offense. He enters the 2026 season without a new contract, and the Bucs are coming off a playoff miss despite playing in the NFL’s worst division. A strong run game would help, but Barber’s forecast suggests Tampa Bay may be leaning more toward a shared backfield than a workhorse setup.
Maybe that’s exactly the kind of skepticism Irving needs. If Barber’s comments are a little reverse psychology, they could wind up fueling a back who already knows what it looks like when the workload gets heavy and the body starts to break down.
In Other News...
Benjamin Morrison's Setback Just Turned Up The Heat On Jason Licht
Benjamin Morrisons early camp setback has only sharpened the Buccaneers concerns about a position group that already looked fragile. The rookie corner has been dealing with injuries since the start of his pro career, and Tampa Bay has little margin for error at outside cornerback, where the depth chart is thin enough that any absence can quickly become a roster issue.
That is why the front office now sounds as if it may need to keep scanning the veteran market for help. The Buccaneers have been linked to several experienced corners as they look for stability behind their top options, and with Morrisons availability already in question, Jason Lichts next move could go a long way toward determining how much risk this defense is willing to carry into the season. [Read more 🡒]
Former Bucs Quarterback Suddenly Lands On Another Teams Radar
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Now another NFC South stop is in play, with Carolina giving Trask a workout as it weighs whether there is room for him in a quarterback room that already has several names in the mix. The Panthers do not need to force the issue, but they may still decide Trask is worth adding for competition, whether that ends up being on the roster or the practice squad. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs May Have Found A Backfield Upgrade Fans Are Overlooking
Kenneth Gainwell may not have been the splashiest name on Tampa Bays offseason ledger, but he could end up mattering more than some bigger headlines. After a productive season in Pittsburgh, where he showed he can handle a steady passing-game role and keep an offense moving, Gainwell arrives with a chance to fit into a backfield that has been looking for a dependable complement. The Buccaneers clearly saw enough to bring him in on a two-year deal, and the fit makes sense for a team trying to keep its offense versatile and balanced.
What makes the move more interesting is the opportunity in front of him. Tampa Bay has moved on from Rachaad White, and Gainwell could be positioned for a similar workload alongside Bucky Irving if the coaching staff decides to lean into a committee. For a player who has already shown he can contribute in multiple ways, this is the kind of opening that can quietly reshape a backfield, especially if the Buccaneers are willing to trust him with a larger role. [Read more 🡒]