Zac Robinson Details Bucs’ Plans For Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell

One of the biggest talking points surrounding the Bucs entering this season is how the offense is coming together. It starts with getting quarterback Baker Mayfield on track, but it extends to how the team’s wide receivers and running backs will be utilized.

Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson spoke before Tuesday night’s practice and had plenty to say about where the running back room stands, specifically Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell.

Zac Robinson Says Bucky Irving “Is An Explosive Play Waiting To Happen”

What stood out most about Zac Robinson’s comments on the Bucs running backs is what he had to say about Bucky Irving.

Even though Irving had a disappointing 2025 season, in which injuries led to a decline in performance, Robinson sees more of the 2024 Irving who rushed for 1,122 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry.

“Bucky is a stud,” Robinson said. “Watching him in 2024, he’s an explosive play waiting to happen. Obviously, you guys saw it up close every single game. He’s just got such a great attitude and a great spirit about him. He’s a team guy and always has a smile on his face. Just the person has been cool to get to know… Bucky has been great.

“Obviously, the talent speaks for itself. The way he runs the football, his feet are always in the ground, so he’s always able to change direction and, obviously, that keeps him so balanced to be able to break tackles. The versatility he has in the pass game and the run game – he’s done a great job. It’s been a blast seeing him cut some of these runs and you start seeing it.”

What Robinson will attempt to avoid is running Irving into the ground. Former offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard emphasized getting him the ball early and often last season, a decision that coincided with Irving’s declining efficiency when he could have used a breather.

Between Irving missing time with foot and shoulder injuries, the offensive line suffering injuries across the board, and a lack of schematic run game innovation, it was not surprising to see Irving only average 3.4 yards per carry and fail to build on a sensational rookie year.

With Robinson drawing from Liam Coen’s system, many of the concepts that fueled Irving’s rookie season in 2024 should carry over.

Keeping Irving fresh may be one of the biggest reasons Tampa Bay targeted Kenny Gainwell in free agency.

Kenny Gainwell Will Resurrect Bucs “Pony Package” Looks, Offers Versatility

One of the more notable observations of Bucs training camp so far is what Zac Robinson has done with Kenny Gainwell. After a career year with the Steelers in 2025, Gainwell has a similar versatile skillset to Bucky Irving, although he profiles more as a receiving back.

That has been on display throughout the first two weeks of practices.

Gainwell’s role has been one of the more intriguing developments of training camp. While the full vision will not be revealed until the regular season, he did share that the pony package, which is a two-back set, is back. He has been the popular receiver from that personnel grouping, as noted above.

“There is a couple of packages where we will be on the field at the same time,” Gainwell said. “We have our pony package that people have been seeing for a couple days. There will be a bunch of packages.”

That doesn’t mean Gainwell won’t get his share of carries, but the early impression is that Robinson values his hands out of the backfield.

“The complement between [Irving] and Kenny…Kenny has done a great job since the spring,” Robinson said. “Obviously, he got the bulk of the reps there and got a good feel for it. Then ‘Tuck’ (Sean Tucker) obviously made a lot of plays, and Josh Williams has had a great camp as well. We have some backs that are exciting and have a versatile skill set. We’ll just kind of keep taking it where it goes, but those guys are a great group of guys, man. Bucky gives me a smile every time I look at him. He’s a stud.”

Robinson went back to mentioning Irving, and based on his words, he is the lead back in the room right now. Given how Arthur Smith utilized Gainwell in Pittsburgh, it will not be surprising to see him get a high volume of touches in different ways. Bijan Robinson became a lethal receiver in Atlanta under Zac Robinson’s watch, including in 2025 when he had 79 catches for 820 yards. Gainwell’s versatility gives Robinson another weapon to move around the formation as he finds ways to maximize his abilities.

Gainwell made another interesting statement discussing how the duo will play off each other.

Robinson and the rest of the offense have not been shy discussing the implementation of the wide zone running scheme entering this season. Given Irving’s elusiveness in space, it sounds like he will be the biggest beneficiary.

“I think I’m a big guy between the tackles, Bucky is a spread-out guy, and both of us do basically the same thing when we get ready to run routes and stuff,” Gainwell added. “So, I mean, it’s just different sizes [and] body types, but at the same time we both have to be ready for what is to come and go out there and attack it.”

How does Robinson see the veteran back’s role within the offense?

“He’s super versatile,” Robinson said of Gainwell. “He’s great with the ball in his hands. He’s very smart. He’s a great pass protector. There’s really nothing on the field where you can’t put him in a situation. It seems like you coach him up one time on something and, boom, he’s got it. So, that’s been a luxury to have. We’ll continue to find out where we can put him in the best spots, along with the rest of those guys, with Bucky and the rest of those guys.

“Kenny is really smart. Obviously, you see it on tape when you watch guys. You get a good feel for just how smart and instinctive they are, how they see the game, then you get to talking to them and you’re like, ‘Okay, that matches up with how he plays.’ He’s another one that’s just got an energetic spirit about him. He’s been a blast to work with, and I’m looking forward to continuing this thing going.”

The return of the pony package is only one wrinkle that Robinson is bringing to the 2026 Bucs offense. As his vision comes to life, the expectation as of now is that Irving will shoulder the bulk of the carries, while Gainwell should carve out a significant role as a receiver and change-of-pace weapon. The fact that Irving can catch passes and Gainwell is comfortable running between the tackles adds another layer that could keep defenses off guard.

If Zac Robinson can maximize Bucky Irving’s explosiveness while using Kenny Gainwell as a movable chess piece, Tampa Bay’s backfield could become one of the league’s most versatile offensive weapons. That does not preclude Sean Tucker from making an impact, either. Training camp has only offered glimpses, but the early blueprint is becoming increasingly clear.