In soccer, a slant route is constructed on timing and precision. The receiver doesn’t waste movement – he breaks sharply throughout the sphere into open house earlier than the protection can react. It’s easy in design, however separation is created by way of execution.
That very same method defines my weekly Saturday Bucs column, Slivon’s Slant.
Every week from now till coaching camp, I’ll have a look inside a unique Bucs place group. The purpose is to chop by way of the floor to search out the clearest path in evaluating this roster because it takes form. Then, as soon as the season begins, the column will proceed providing totally different angles for breaking down and discussing the group. Final week, this column debuted by trying on the quarterback place.
Now, it’s on to the working backs.
Inside The Bucs Operating Again Room
Fan Favourite: Bucky Irving
With the Bucs offense trying to regain its 2024 kind this season, few gamers are as essential to the unit’s success as working again Bucky Irving. The 2024 fourth-round decide burst onto the scene as a rookie, eliciting “Bucky, Bucky, Bucky” chants at Raymond James Stadium. Irving began the 12 months as a change-of-pace again behind Rachaad White, however the change flipped when he began to get the majority of the carries. His shiftiness and elusiveness made him a troublesome participant to wrap up, contributing to his 207 carries for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns, together with 47 catches for 392 yards out of the backfield.
Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Picture by: IMAGN Photographs
After struggling to have success on the bottom for a number of seasons, Tampa Bay appeared to have lastly discovered a solution. Then 2025 occurred. It was a 12 months of regression for a lot of gamers on the group, particularly on the offensive aspect of the soccer.
Foot and shoulder accidents restricted Irving to only 10 video games, and he by no means absolutely recaptured the explosiveness and magic from the 12 months prior. He was not at full well being, and working behind a makeshift inside offensive line didn’t do him any favors, both. If there was one silver lining trying again, it’s that he made strides as a pass-catcher with 30 catches for 277 yards and three touchdowns.
With White gone and offseason signing Kenneth Gainwell taking his place, Irving has a backfield accomplice who won’t be pissed off about his function and enhances him nicely. Primarily based on Zac Robinson’s offensive imaginative and prescient, one can anticipate extra of a 1A-1B working again break up in 2026.
Throughout his press convention earlier this week, Robinson pointed to the Rams having success with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum as a blueprint for having two backs with comparable skillsets whereas additionally stressing ball distribution. Between a more healthy Irving, a more healthy offensive line, and extra artistic weekly gameplans, it’s not arduous to see the speeding assault return to being one of many higher ones throughout the league.
Versatile Veteran: Kenneth Gainwell
The Bucs spent a lot of the offseason revamping the protection, however on offense, Kenneth Gainwell has the possibility to be essentially the most impactful exterior addition. Gainwell, who signed a two-year, $14 million deal, was a coveted complementary working again on the open market after what he did with the Steelers. It was a profession 12 months for the 27-year-old in 2025, as he had profession highs by way of utilization with 114 carries for 537 yards together with 5 touchdowns. With 73 catches, he greater than doubled his earlier greatest and had 486 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.
Put that collectively, and Gainwell was a vital component of the offense and brings those self same talents to Tampa Bay.
Bucs RB Kenneth Gainwell – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
With the emphasis Zac Robinson placed on harnessing Bijan Robinson’s receiving means in Atlanta, the duo of Bucky Irving and Gainwell shall be tasked with opening up video games in an identical manner. How the 2 are utilized stays to be seen and may very well be a fluid state of affairs, as every has early down worth. One shouldn’t underestimate Gainwell’s worth and workload, because the veteran performed precisely half of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps final season. He’s greater than only a backup again; there may be actual playmaking means every time he touches the soccer.
Gainwell has much less tread on his tires in comparison with different 27-year-old working backs and is likely one of the most sturdy gamers on the place. Though he stands 5-foot-9 and 200 kilos, he’s greater than able to holding his personal as a cross protector and doing no matter is requested of him. No matter being the second again on the depth chart, followers ought to anticipate him to carve out a productive function that contributes to profitable soccer.
Dynamic Depth: Sean Tucker
There’s a Sean Tucker sighting every year the place followers (and native media) start to boost questions on why he’s not extra concerned within the Bucs’ offense. In brief spurts, Tucker has appeared each a part of a dynamic working again who may break up duties and get a considerable workload. That has but to return to cross for a protracted interval, however each season in Tampa Bay has resulted in additional enjoying time.
When interested by his speeding prowess, the primary thought that involves thoughts is No. 44 working wild in New Orleans in 2024 and placing on an encore in Buffalo in 2025. Relating to what lies forward in 2026, his function is extra outlined on paper.
Bucs RB Sean Tucker – Picture by: IMAGN Photographs
Neither Irving nor Gainwell profiles as a real short-yardage hammer close to the purpose line. That’s the place Tucker may see essentially the most alternatives, regardless that he skilled blended ends in short-yardage conditions final season. Nonetheless, he had seven speeding touchdowns and a receiving landing in 2025. Zac Robinson has the problem of discovering methods to get him concerned exterior of that area of interest, particularly as his measurement and pace at all times make him a play away from opening up a recreation.
With a trio of gifted backs, it’s arduous to argue towards the potential the place group has. For it to stay as much as its full potential, unlocking Tucker can be a great addition for the offense.
Observe Squad Piece: Josh Williams
Josh Williams is projected to be the fourth working again on the depth chart, however it’s price going over what he gives. Williams was on his approach to getting extra of a chance final season earlier than serving a six-game suspension for violating the performance-enhancing substance coverage. That’s removed from the way in which he needed his rookie 12 months to go, however he’s on monitor to combat for a follow squad spot.
Listed at 5-foot-9 and 210 kilos, he has the dimensions to be a bodily runner with 4.45 pace to rapidly speed up and discover open house. That was seen a bit through the 2025 preseason when given carries out of the backfield, however he may very well be most useful to the group as a kick returner.
Bucs RB Josh Williams – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
He averaged 36 yards per return on three makes an attempt within the preseason finale, then averaged 25.8 yards per return on 5 makes an attempt through the common season. Given the emphasis on particular groups heading into the 12 months, it may very well be a sneaky path for Williams to stake his declare for a 53-man roster spot. So far as RB4 choices go, the Bucs may do a lot worse ought to accidents pop up, though it’s unlikely for him to earn something greater than a cameo look barring something drastic.
Closing Slant
The success of the Bucs’ working again room in 2026 will say lots about what this offense is able to. A lot of that hinges on Bucky Irving, as an identical season to his rookie 12 months would supply the steadiness and playmaking means that was sorely missing in 2025. I might argue the very best model of Irving just isn’t as a workhorse, however somebody who can break up carries 60/40 with one other again. Bringing in Kenneth Gainwell permits for that type of workload to maximise effectivity and maintain each of them contemporary.
It’s a departure from the normal thunder-and-lightning construction many groups favor, however that’s the place Sean Tucker will be labored in sparingly to offer a unique fashion. Having that a lot expertise leaves little margin for error, particularly if the offensive line stays wholesome.
The problem for Zac Robinson won’t be discovering expertise – will probably be discovering sufficient touches to maintain all three backs concerned with out disrupting rhythm. The imaginative and prescient has been outlined. Now it simply has to turn into a constant formulation for Tampa Bay to maintain drives, management video games, and make the offense more durable to defend.
