Former Bucs veteran running back Gio Bernard has announced his retirement via his instagram account.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Giovani Bernard (@g_bernard_xxv)

Bernard, who originally signed with the Bucs in 2021 and re-signed last year on another one-year contract, has spent 10 years in the NFL. His first eight years were spent with the Cincinnatti Bengals where he totaled 3,697 yards on 921 carries for a 4.0 yards per carry average. Bernard added 342 receptions for 2,867 yards and totaled 33 combined touchdowns during his time with the Bengals.

Bucs RB Giovani Bernard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bernard Spent Two Seasons With Bucs

He would be much less productive in Tampa Bay due to injuries and limited playing time. He would play in just 20 of a potential 34 games over his two-year stint with the Bucs. In those 20 games Bernard registered just 16 carries for 86 yards (5.4 ypc), and 25 catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns.

Unfortunately for Bernard, he will probably be best remembered for a failed trick special teams play against his former team during the Bucs disappointing 2022 campaign where he fumbled a direct snap on a fake punt and the tense exchange, he had with members of the local Tampa Bay media during the post-game locker room session.

Bucs RB Giovani Bernard vs Rams in Week 3 – Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The lack of playing time during his tenure is a bit of a curious one as each time he was able to get on the field on offense he showed that he still had reliable hands in the passing game and often provided burst through the line leading to positive rate stats such as his very good yards per carry. Added on to that was the fact that the Bucs at times had a suspect depth chart ahead of him (Ronald Jones) or a general lack of success from other running back options (the entirety of the Bucs 2022 rushing efforts).

Bucs RB Room

The Bucs running back room now features Rachaad White, Key’Shawn Vaughn, recently signed veteran Chase Edmonds and Patrick Laird. For his career Bernard notched 937 carries for 3,783 yards and 22 touchdowns rushing and 367 catches for 2,989 yards and 14 touchdowns receiving.