Just a year ago, Bucs running back Bucky Irving appeared to be the next big thing in Tampa Bay. Irving exploded onto the scene as a fourth-round pick, overcoming concerns about his frame and athletic traits to be a dynamic weapon in Liam Coen’s offense.

After getting off to such a hot start in 2024, Irving has had a tumultuous 2025 season. Battling foot and shoulder injuries affected him physically as well as mentally. Since then, he has not looked like the same player, with increasing concern about being able to handle much of the workload going forward.

Bucky Irving Does Not Look Like The Same Slippery Bucs RB

Throughout his rookie season, Bucky Irving was one hard player to bring down.

Irving made opposing defenses look silly, shifting and sifting through defenders like a human joystick. That allowed him to turn 207 carries into 1,122 rushing yards (5.4 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns while adding 47 catches for 392 receiving yards. All told, 1,514 scrimmage yards was nothing to scoff at as he took the lead back reins from Rachaad White after splitting touches with him for the first half the season.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving Photo by: USA Today

It has been a different story this year. The Bucs’ offense has failed to get into a consistent rhythm and find a comparable balance to last year.

At the same time, Irving has not looked as elusive, either.

Since returning in Week 13 and starting five games, he has yet to cross the four yards per carry threshold in any game. On the year, Irving has just 147 carries for 503 rushing yards (3.4 yards per carry) and a touchdown. His usage as a receiver has improved – 29 catches, 264 receiving yards, three touchdowns – but the advanced metrics show a noticeable decline year over year:

(Note: these numbers were even before Sunday’s game, when he had nine carries for just 19 rushing yards and averaged just 2.1 yards per carry)

2024: 1.41 yards before contact, 3.93 yards after contact, 25.4% missed tackles forced

2025: 1.08 yards before contact, 2.43 yards after contact, 19.6% missed tackles forced

There is something to be said about the offensive line battling its own injuries and the trenches being without left guard Ben Bredeson in recent weeks and right Cody Mauch since Week 2.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: IMAGN – Bob Donnan

Still, Irving has appeared significantly more mortal being tackled at the line of scrimmage.

Not making the first man miss.

Lacking the kind of “Ooo” and “Ahh” moments that captivated the Bucs’ fanbase and elicited “Bucky, Bucky, Bucky” chants during every home game.

Perhaps the increased workload has played a part in not being as fresh, but that raises a question of its own – should this place more emphasis on re-signing White for 2026? Set to be a free agent in March, White has been Tampa Bay’s leading rusher, with 123 carries for 539 rushing yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

There are growing concerns about Irving’s play, while not completely ignoring where he fits from a locker room standpoint.

Bucky Irving’s “Little Tiff” With Tristan Wirfs, Bucs’ O-Line Shouldn’t Be Ignored

It is understandable that Bucs players have increasingly grown frustrated with the results on the field. Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Dolphins that dropped them to 7-9 was the seventh defeat the team has suffered in an eight-game span. Still, seeing players visibly frustrated with one another is a message received about the culture and chemistry not being what it was earlier in the year when Tampa Bay was flying high at 6-2.

A video captured in-game during Week 17 showed an upset Bucky Irving confronting left tackle Tristan Wirfs on the Bucs sideline after Irving went over to the offensive line.

It should be noted after the game that Wirfs stated he was just letting Irving know the offensive line would work out the problems they had. That very well could be the case, but one understandably wonders where the running back’s frustration level is with what has gone on throughout this year. Given his social media activity and public expressions of faith, it is clear Irving has leaned on his beliefs while navigating a very difficult stretch away from the field.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Irving appeared to be battling more than physical ailments while away from the game of football and it could be carrying over. Head coach Todd Bowles stated that Irving did not handle his injury well getting hurt for the first time, and upon returning in Week 13 against the Cardinals, the running back was emotional in the locker room:

“It’s a blessing,” Irving said after coming back in late November. “Like I always say, I don’t take this game for granted. Every chance that I get to be out there and compete with my guys I’m [going to] give it my all just [because] I love what I do every day. Like I said, it’s a blessing and I want to give all glory to God.”

The origin of Bucky Irving’s struggles is unable to be directly pinpointed, but the results have spoken for themselves.

The Bucs’ offensive line has struggled, while Irving has failed to showcase the same level of burst and make-you-miss quality. It is unknown where he is at mentally, but getting into a back-and-forth with Wirfs is unlike what we have seen from him as a mostly laid-back guy. Not to mention, having to deal with time away from the team surely impacted him earlier in the season, too.

It is too early to say what this all means for him in the seasons to come, as it very well could be a blip on the radar of a talented running back who has all the potential to have a fruitful career in Tampa Bay. On the other hand, it is not too early to wonder if this could snowball into something more and play a factor into what the team decides to do in keeping Rachaad White around and having Sean Tucker on standby in 2026.