The disrespect for Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving got put on bold, big-faced display when the NFL released its 5 finalists for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year on January 23.

There were the 3 no-brainers — presumed winner and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers.

Daniels is already a Pro Bowler and has his team in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991. Nix led his team to the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Bowers was the first rookie to be named NFL All-Pro at tight end since Jeremy Shockey in 2002.

The other 2 finalists — New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. — were a pair of receivers who each had over 1,200 receiving yards on 2 of the NFL’s worst teams. The Giants went 3-14 and the Jaguars went 4-13.

Irving, on the other hand, was arguably the 1 rookie in the league outside of Daniels and Nix who put up big numbers and did the other, most important thing a football player can do — help his team win. The Buccaneers won their fourth consecutive NFC South Division title and made the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

From Buccaneers.com’s Brianna Dix: “Irving led all rookies in rushing yards (1,122) and rushing touchdowns (8), while averaging 5.4 yards per attempt. His 5.4 yards per carry marked the third-highest mark in NFL history among rookies with at least 200 rushing attempts in a season, trailing only Adrian Peterson (5.6 in 2007) and Clinton Portis (5.5 in 2002) … Irving added 47 receptions for 392 yards to total 1,514 yards from scrimmage. He became just the fourth rookie since 2018 to surpass 1,500 scrimmage yards, joining Puka Nacua (2023), Najee Harris (2022) and Saquon Barkley (2018).”