The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still dealing with the aftereffects of blowing a game against the Bears. And Todd Bowles didn’t seem to know what it meant for the trade deadline. But it’s their 2026 bye week now, and here is the Buccaneers’ biggest problem to fix.
It’s an interesting situation for the Buccaneers. They have a mediocre record of 3-6, but that is just a half-game behind the Saints and Panthers for first place in the dreadful NFC South. In other words, they are right in the thick of the division-title chase.
Therefore, if they can shore up some issues, a playoff berth is well within reach.
Buccaneers need more offense than RB Bucky Irving
Head coach Todd Bowles has ridden Irving hard and heavy this season. He has 189 touches for 931 yards. Also, Irving has scored eight touchdowns. The Buccaneers as a team only have 18 touchdowns in nine games.
Yes, that’s a lot of dependence on one player. And Bowles seems to know it, according to Buccaneers.com.
“I think the bye week for him has come at a perfect time,” said Bowles. “I think he's tough and he's handling everything right now. But I don't know if he has the frame to keep up that type of workload.
“We're going to have to take some of the carries off of him. And it's hard to do because he's playing such great football right now and he's our bell cow. But we've still got to be wary of trying to keep him upright the entire season.”
It sounds like Bowles is speaking more in terms of wishful thinking than he is about actually lessening Irving’s load. When it comes to winning football games, NFL head coach tend to have blinders on to the number of touches their running backs are getting. For an example, look at the overuse of Christian McCaffrey last season by 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
But how do the Bucs actually lighten Bucky Irving’s load?
The answer is quarterback Baker Mayfield. He has shown in recent seasons that he’s capable of much more than he is showing this year. And the good news is Mayfield is coming off a season-high 243-yard effort against the Bears.
“That's definitely one of the things we have to look at during the bye week,” Bowles said. “Are we comfortable with the calls that we're calling, that (Mayfield is) comfortable calling and playing with? Are we doing the right things for him schematically, and then how his mechanics are and what he's seeing on the field?
“We've got to come to a decision on that, and we've got to come to it quick because it's been a little bit of a challenge lately. We've got to make some changes there for the betterment of the team from a coaching and playing standpoint so we can move forward after the bye.”
The Buccaneers can clearly do more through the air. They just have to make the commitment.
Another good weapon is Kenny Gainwell. He can lighten Irving’s load all by himself. And he’s good enough to do it, according to Buccaneers.com.z
“He is much more than a gadget guy,” Mayfield said. “I have just been completely overwhelmed with the amount of talent that he has. I did not know until a little later in the spring, more towards minicamp, that he was a receiver going into college and was a slot receiver at Memphis. That explains why he is so smooth running routes.
“Then, just him in the run game, he stays true to his tracks and reads his blocks really well. I thought he has been a huge addition for us and is a spark to give Bucky a spell and obviously still have Tuck in there. Josh Williams has had a great camp as well, but KG is another guy that adds a veteran presence, a leader, and a guy that leads by example and continues to help set the tone for us.”
The tools are there for Bowles. He simply needs to find a more effective way to use them. And that could help the Buccaneers find a way to the top of the NFC South. The good news is the defense is strong enough to keep the team within shouting distance.