The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t expecting to lose much of a step in what has suddenly become quite the dynamic backfield.
They bid farewell to running back Rachaad White, who is entering unrestricted free agency and is likely to sign elsewhere. They’ll happily greet Kenneth Gainwell as his replacement, pairing him with Bucky Irving to create a rushing attack that, remarkably, may not even be as effective as their potential as receivers.
Kenneth Gainwell Gives Buccaneers Dynamic 1-2 Punch With Bucky Irving
Gainwell, who will now be joining his third team, signed a two-year deal with the Buccaneers on Monday worth $14 million dollars. That’s certainly a bargain for what Gainwell could bring to the Buccaneers’ offense.
After spending the first four years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles as a backup who scarcely cracked the rotation for an extensive period of time, Gainwell signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers last spring and had a career year. He earned MVP honors for the Steelers after securing 73 receptions on 85 targets, eclipsing 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the first time in his career and scoring eight times.
“One of the best pass-catching backs in the NFL and he showed last year he’s an underrated runner,” said NFL insider Field Yates. Gainwell rushed for 537 yards and averaged 4.7 yards per carry, a career high in both categories.
One of my favorite early signings.
Kenny G gets the payday he deserves.
One of the best pass-catching backs in the NFL and he showed last year he’s an underrated runner.
Nice get for the Bucs. https://t.co/Z31hMYUaSj
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 9, 2026
Between Irving and Gainwell, the sky is the limit for the Buccaneers’ backfield. “Quite the 1-2 punch in Tampa,” wrote ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler in a post on X.
Bucky and Kenny the 1-2 punch in Tampa https://t.co/1kMQMippOo
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 9, 2026
David Lombardi, who covers the San Francisco 49ers for the SF Standard, was hoping general manager John Lynch would throw his hat into the ring for Gainwell’s services to pair with Christian McCaffrey.
The best RB name in football, who almost went 500-500 last year (and therefore could’ve fit as a nice No. 2 for CMC), goes for $7m APY https://t.co/CZzh95qo0q
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) March 9, 2026
You’ve heard of “thunder and lightning” to describe a running back tandem, but how about lightning and lightning? Credit Barstool Sports’ Steven Cheah, who may have perfectly encapsulated what the duo of Irving and Gainwell can be for the Buccaneers.
Whoaaaa!!! Lightning ⚡️ + lightning ⚡️ in Tampa! https://t.co/q2eMsK9bkz
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) March 9, 2026
“Great receiver out of the backfield for Tampa Bay,” wrote PewterReport, a website dedicated to all things Buccaneers.
FANTASTIC pick-up by the Bucs as a replacement for Rachaad White. Great receiver out of the backfield for Tampa Bay. https://t.co/qsJVEOAhlk
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) March 9, 2026
The Buccaneers may also be on the hunt for a third option after deciding not to sign restricted free agent Sean Tucker to his tender. After rushing for over 300 yards in each of the past two seasons and seven touchdowns in 2025, Tucker is expected to enter unrestricted free agency.
Gainwell earned a 65.7 RB Impact Score from PFSN for his efforts last season, just a tick below Kenneth Walker III’s 65.8. Walker, a Super Bowl MVP, just signed a three-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs to open free agency.
