Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup running back Sean Tucker has become something of a forgotten man going into the 2026 NFL regular season. Tucker was only the third string running back for the Bucs last season and will still hold that same role in 2026 with feature back Bucky Irving healthy and now the talented Kenny Gainwell coming over from Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But when Tucker did get the rock as the main man last season due to injuries, he outshone Rachaad White considerably and was even much more efficient than a clearly hobbled Irving. While nobody would dare argue that Tucker is a better player than Irving, nor would they pick him to have more touches than the incoming Gainwell either, there are a few NFL teams for which Tucker would be the best option out of the backfield.
He is a bell cow style running back with his power and explosiveness, and he can make the difference in short yardage situations or hold the tide over if something were to happen to the Buccaneers main backs again.
The Buccaneers OL is a huge strength
Tucker, though, is giving full credit to the real strength of this Bucs offense. Because while the running backs are talented, Baker Mayfield is under center, and the wide receivers are potentially electrifying even without Mike Evans, the real strength of this team lies in the big boys up front.
The young running back said of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line to Joe Bucs Fan when the point was made that the Bucs line is one of the best in the NFL, “Yeah, I’d say so. Trusting the guys up front to get those blocks for us. That will showcase our abilities.”
Not only would Buccaneers fans wholheartedly agree with Sean Tucker giving full credit to the Bucs line as one of the best in the NFL, they would also point out that key injuries to the line in the middle of the 2025 NFL regular season also played a key and very underrated role in the Bucs demise and eventual inability to win the NFC South.
Luke Goedeke and Tristan Wirfs are an offensive tackle bookend that should be the envy of the rest of the league, and the interior offensive line has several great players who are sure fire starters and know how to pave the road for Bucky Irving and Tucker. If this unit can stay healthy, then that may just be the biggest key to the Bucs getting back to the Promised Land.
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