​How a quarterback handles pressure can determine whether a team wins or loses. When a signal-caller is forced into sacks or forced throws all game, the offense often stalls, with even the most promising drives breaking down in the blink of an eye. But the dynamic flips if a quarterback can convert those negative plays into positives. A reliable safety valve who can catch the ball with defenders bearing down on him is essential for sustaining drives and transforming pressure into productive opportunities.
In Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers may have found a pair of such players in their backfield. According to PFF, Bucs running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell ranked among the league’s elite options for catching the ball when the defense is bringing pressure. Gainwell has a long track record as one of the NFL’s top receiving backs. During his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he embraced a larger role and set a personal best with 73 receptions. PFF notes that 16 of those catches came while the quarterback faced pressure. That level of productivity under duress is particularly noteworthy given the circumstances. With Aaron Rodgers posting the NFL’s fifth-fastest time to throw (2.58 seconds) last season, it isn’t surprising that a versatile back who can excel as a pass catcher out of the backfield—like Gainwell—benefited. Those 16 catches under pressure represented more than double any other receiver on the Steelers roster. Now that Gainwell has joined the Buccaneers, his presence could pose a significant challenge for the Steelers and their attempts to maintain a consistent aerial attack in 2026, as they search for reliable pass-game options behind Rodgers.
Irving, meanwhile, may have been even more impactful for Tampa Bay in terms of pressure handling. Despite missing seven games due to injuries in 2025, Irving established himself as one of the league’s most efficient out-of-the-backfield targets when defenses brought heat. In a limited sample of 10 games, the second-year back was the only qualifying player to post more than 3.1 yards per route run while also delivering a flawless 158.3 passer rating when targeted on plays with pressure. His efficiency under duress extended beyond the catch; Irving led the NFL with 204 yards after the catch on pressured targets, underscoring his explosiveness once the ball is in his hands.
The Buccaneers appear exceptionally well-equipped to handle pressure in 2026. An offensive line that could be among the league’s best should give quarterback Baker Mayfield ample opportunities to diagnose and respond to pressure without collapsing the drive. Even when pass rushers do reach Mayfield, Tampa Bay’s roster includes two of the league’s premier secure-throw options when the heat is on. Irving and Gainwell provide reliable safety valves who can convert pressure into positive gains, helping to keep the offense moving, extending drives, and creating opportunities for big plays after the catch. Their ability to garner receptions with defenders in their faces serves not just as a solution to pressure, but as a strategic advantage that can unlock the Buccaneers’ full offensive potential in 2026.
In short, Tampa Bay’s combination of an improved offensive line and two elite pressure-handling targets could give Mayfield a reliable and efficient toolkit to survive and thrive under pressure. Those factors are not merely about surviving tough defenses; they’re about turning pressure into productive production and keeping the Buccaneers competitive in a league that prizes timely plays, quick decision-making, and high-yardage efficiency. The result could be a more dynamic, dangerous offense that avoids stalls and sustains drives even when the defense is applying heat.