Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is making the most of his second NFL offseason. On Friday, he shed light on rigorous training sessions spent with some of the team’s key offensive figures.
When a reporter asked about training with veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield and second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan, Irving said,
“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. 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. Once you work in the dark, good things come to the light.”
He described the workouts as crucial for building trust and preparation. “When we go out and train on a weekday, we know that when we come back in this building, it’s time to go,” he added.
Irving, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, appeared in all 17 games during his rookie season. He carried the ball 207 times for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns, and caught 47 passes for 392 yards. Irving’s relationship with veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield was pivotal last season.
Irving also shares a strong rapport with Jalen McMillan, both members of the same draft class. In December, as the regular season was winding down, head coach Todd Bowles praised them, saying they have a “bright future” ahead.
Something is quietly brewing behind the scenes for the Buccaneers, and it promises to be well worth the wait for fans when the 2025 season kicks off.
