The former Oregon Duck is ready to fly again in Year 2.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is leveraging a stellar rookie season with a dedicated offseason in Tampa.
The fourth-round pick from Oregon erupted in 2024, rushing for 1,122 yards on 207 carries with eight touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry—fourth among NFL running backs. His 1,597 total yards and 82 forced missed tackles showcased his elusiveness, earning him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 13.
Yet, he’s proving to be better than what he was his first year in the NFL as he has shown his commitment to having an even better sophomore campaign with what he has done this offseason and in camp so far.
“Being able to stay in Tampa and train – stay in the heat but being able to be around your guys and know what we’re working for,” Irving said when speaking to the media Friday. “Being able to work together, that’s always a blessing but being able to attack each and every day, every morning, we know that we can’t just sit around and not work.
Irving, not content to rest, stayed in Tampa to train with teammates like quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Jalen McMillan. That kind of team work ethic can only pave the way to better outcomes.
Irving went on to say that only good things can come from such commitment.
“Once you work in the dark, good things come to the light. Being able to go to work with those guys each and every day, knowing that when we go out there and train on a weekday, knowing that when we come back in this building it’s time to go.”
It’s early on in training camp, so expectations should be tamed. However, this is certainly a promising sight we keep seeing out of this Buccaneers teams which can only lead to success of the team moving forward.