Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving Turns Heads Amid NFL Snub

Bucky Irving heads into his second NFL training camp as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ unquestioned RB1, but the former fourth-round pick isn’t resting on his laurels.

On July 9, Bucs Gameday founder Logan B. Robinson shared a workout video of Irving throwing up major weight in the gym. The original clip was posted by trainer Dylan Smith on Instagram.

“Bucs RB Bucky Irving is getting after it 😂💪,” Robinson captioned the repost, as Irving performs one-arm chest presses with dumbbells that look as big as his head. He appears to get 8 reps in for each arm.

The workout video quickly caught the attention of fans on social media with nearly 60,000 views and 715-plus likes.

“Bucky lifting big weights saying ‘Buck’ on each rep? 🔥🔥🔥” One fan reacted.

While another said: “He seen the news about [Tristan] Wirfs. Putting in extra work. Ready to carry the load.”

“The way this made me 😊😍 I see you Bucky !” A third supporter replied.

Finally, one Bucs fan responded: “ouuuuu Bucky has that derrick henry strength 👀 we going for 2K this season 😮‍💨.”

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving Still Has Much to Prove Around the NFL

Ironically, or maybe not coincidentally at all, Irving got some new bulletin board material from the NFL community just a couple of days before this workout video surfaced on social media.

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler revealed the top 10 running backs in football, according to an anonymous survey of “league executives, coaches and scouts,” and Irving just barely missed the cut.

The following players were ranked ahead of Irving, who was listed atop the “honorable mention” section: Saquon Barkley, Henry, Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey, Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook, Joe Mixon, and Alvin Kamara.

For Irving, Fowler relayed a quote from an “NFL coordinator,” which read: “Combination of speed, quicks and contact balance. Heck of a runner. Rarely goes down on first contact.”

Although it’s somewhat understandable that executives, coaches and scouts aren’t ready to anoint Irving after one 1,500-yard season (including 1,122 rushing yards), another strong year would likely force the issue, pushing him into next year’s top 10.

After all, playmakers like Mixon, Kamara, McCaffrey and even Henry are getting older, and Irving represents one of the faces of the next wave of elite running backs.

Buccaneers Training Camp Will Give Fans a Truer Sense of How New OC Josh Grizzard Plans to Utilize His Running Backs

OTAs and minicamp are both considered to be passing camps, for the most part, so NFL training camps are often a big moment for running backs around the league.

Outside of catching the football out of the backfield, it’s their first real chance to make an impact and show what they can do ahead of a new season.

Obviously, Bucs Nation already knows what Irving and backup Rachaad White can do, but what’s less clear is how new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard plans to utilize them both. Along with promising third-stringer Sean Tucker.

Tampa Bay has found and developed a three-headed monster out of the backfield, and Irving should lead the way again in 2025. Considering the depth of weapons at wide receiver, this Buccaneers offense could be really fun to watch this season.