NFL Trade Speculation: Buccaneers' Bucky Irving Could Head to Texans
In a recent analysis, Sports Illustrated's Ethen Hutton has put forward an intriguing trade scenario involving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the CJ Stroud-led Houston Texans. According to Hutton, the Buccaneers would receive a 2026 second-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick, while the Texans would acquire running back Bucky Irving. This proposal comes at a time when both teams are reassessing their backfield strategies.
Why the Buccaneers Might Consider Trading Irving
The Buccaneers have recently signed Kenneth Gainwell, who achieved career-high records with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. Irving, on the other hand, faced setbacks in 2025, suffering shoulder and foot injuries that limited him to just 10 games. His performance metrics reflect this struggle: he recorded 173 carries for 588 rushing yards and one touchdown, along with 30 receptions for 277 yards and three touchdowns. His overall PFF grade of 67.8 ranked 43rd among 55 qualified running backs, with a rushing grade of 69.2 placing him 49th.
Ellis Bryn Johnson of FantasyPros notes that Irving is undersized at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds and has a history of missing games, raising concerns about his durability. With Gainwell potentially stepping into the RB1 role, the Buccaneers might view Irving as a tradable asset to address other needs, such as strengthening their offensive line through draft picks.
Texans' Running Back Situation and Irving's Potential Fit
Houston has undergone significant changes in their running back corps, releasing veteran Joe Mixon and parting ways with Nick Chubb. They did acquire David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions via trade, who is expected to take the RB1 spot. The RB2 role is likely to be filled by Woody Marks, a 2025 draft pick who handled over 230 carries in his rookie campaign but may see a reduced workload in Year 2, potentially boosting his role in the passing game.
Hutton reports that Mixon missed the entire 2025 season due to injury, while Chubb was "largely inefficient at an inconsistent role." This could make Irving an attractive long-term solution for the Texans, who ranked 12th overall in total offense in 2023, averaging 342.4 yards per game. Irving could help revitalize their offensive dynamics.
Financial and Contractual Considerations
Irving signed a four-year, $4.75 million rookie contract with Tampa Bay in 2024. In 2026, he is scheduled to earn a $1 million base salary with a $1.2 million cap hit and a $365,000 dead cap value. Hutton suggests that if the Buccaneers want to extend him post-2027, they might prefer to save money and reinvest in other roster needs. Jack McKassey of USA Today adds that Irving could be traded on draft day, especially since veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin's large 2026 cap hit makes him less tradable.
Irving's Career Trajectory and Trade Implications
Irving had an excellent rookie season in 2024, with 207 carries for 1,122 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns, plus 47 receptions for 392 receiving yards across 17 games. However, his 2025 season was marred by injuries, leading to missed games and diminished production. The Buccaneers have already let Rachaad White go in free agency, but they could still bolster their running back room through the draft. Trading Irving would provide them with valuable draft capital to build for the future.
On the Texans' side, acquiring Irving could offer a breakout opportunity alongside established veteran David Montgomery, filling a gap in their offense. However, this remains speculative, and only time will tell if such a trade materializes.
Conclusion
This proposed trade highlights the strategic moves both teams are considering to optimize their rosters. With the Buccaneers potentially leaning on Gainwell and the Texans seeking to enhance their backfield, Bucky Irving's future could be a key storyline in the upcoming NFL offseason. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these rumors unfold.
