Most of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offseason business was focused around overhauling the defense, and Bucs fans have to be pleased with how the unit looks now. Alex Anzalone and A'Shawn Robinson are quality veterans, Rueben Bain Jr. looks like the next big thing off the edge, and the other rookies Josiah Trotter and Keionte Scott have all the tools to become future Pro Bowlers in their own right as well.
But the Buccaneers quietly improved their offense, too. Even though they lost Mike Evans, they landed a real sleeper in the draft in Ted Hurst. The Bucs also got better at tight end, retaining Cade Otton and adding another draft day steal, sixth round LSU product Bauer Sharp, behind him.
Perhaps the Buccaneers best move, though, was signing running back Kenny Gainwell of the Pittsburgh Steelers to replace Rachaad White as the No. 2 option behind Bucky Irving, and Gainwell, who was a favorite of legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers, figures to be the main all purpose back and top choice on third downs and obvious passing plays.
Kenny Gainwell can challenge Bucky Irving
There are a lot of people outside of the Tampa Bay area who are very high on Gainwell next season. ESPN's Bill Barnwell made an especially bold prediction, stating that there is a real possibility Gainwell could prove to be the best running back on the team.
Barnwell said, "Bucky Irving was also sidelined for two months by foot and shoulder injuries, and across his two stretches of active play, he averaged just 3.4 yards per carry. Irving turned only 6.4% of his designed rush attempts into 10-plus yard gains, down from 13% as a rookie. The Bucs swapped out Rachaad White for Kenny Gainwell, who was wildly productive for the Steelers in a situational role, and there’s a chance that he is Tampa’s best back."
Using Irving's injury plagued 2025 season instead of his 2024 campaign in which he had more than 1,100 rushing yards and eight touchdowns is a bold move and not really fair to him, but the larger point of praising Kenny Gainwell is well taken.
Gainwell made huge plays in the passing game, including crazy catches and making defenders miss with the ball in his hands. But the PIttsburgh Steelers frustratingly did not use him much, and now their loss could be the Bucs gain. It's worth watching closely what he can do with Baker Mayfield at quarterback and much better skill position players around him to open up space. Bucky Irving should watch out.
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