It was supposed to be Rachaad White’s year. Coming off a 2023 season where he nearly hit 1,000 rushing yards and functioned as the ultimate safety valve for Baker Mayfield, White looked like the undisputed workhorse. Then, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went and drafted Bucky Irving in the fourth round.
Most people thought Irving was just depth. A change-of-pace guy.
They were wrong.
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By the time the 2025 season wrapped up, the hierarchy in Tampa had completely flipped. If you’ve been following the Bucs, you know it wasn't just about one guy being "better" than the other. It was a messy, fascinating transition that has now led us to a definitive crossroad in 2026.
Why Bucky Irving Took Over the Reins
The hype around Bucky Irving wasn't just noise. It was built on a very specific set of skills that the Bucs’ running game desperately lacked: elusiveness and a "refuse to go down" attitude. In his rookie year, Irving didn't just play well; he led all NFL rookies with 1,122 rushing yards and 1,514 yards from scrimmage.
Numbers don't lie.
While White often struggled with efficiency—averaging under 4 yards per carry for much of his early career—Irving was a lightning bolt. According to PFF, Irving finished his rookie campaign as the highest-graded rookie with a 90.8 mark. He was the only back in the league to post 90-plus grades in both rushing and receiving that year.
He makes people miss. Simple as that.
Irving’s 37.1% missed tackle percentage led the entire NFL in 2024. Think about that for a second. More than a third of the time a defender got a hand on him, he stayed upright. That kind of contact balance is what turned 2-yard gains into 12-yard bursts. It's why offensive coordinator Liam Coen eventually had no choice but to make him the RB1.
The Rachaad White Dilemma (and Why He's Leaving)
Poor Rachaad. Honestly, it’s hard not to feel for the guy. White isn't a "bad" player—he's actually one of the best pass-blocking backs in the league. Liam Coen even went on record saying White was their "best protector."
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In a pass-heavy offense with a veteran like Baker Mayfield, that matters. A lot.
But football is a "what have you done for me lately" business. While White improved his decisiveness in 2024 and 2025, reaching a career-high 4.3 yards per carry, he couldn't match the explosive ceiling that Irving provided. By mid-December of the 2025 season, Irving was officially the starter. White was relegated to a complementary role, often losing snaps not just to Bucky, but to Sean Tucker as well.
The Contract Year Fallout
We are now in January 2026, and the smoke is clearing. Rachaad White has officially hit free agency, and it’s safe to say he’s not coming back to Raymond James Stadium.
Recent reports and social media activity have made it clear: White feels he was given a "raw deal." He recently commented, "Let’s just be a man of our word," hinting at broken promises regarding his workload. It’s the classic NFL tragedy. A reliable veteran gets outperformed by a younger, cheaper, more explosive rookie, and the locker room chemistry starts to simmer.
White is 27 now. In "running back years," that’s basically middle-aged. He’s likely looking for one last decent contract from a team that needs a three-down back who can catch 50 passes and keep a quarterback clean.
Comparing the Stats: 2025 Snapshot
If you’re still debating who the better "pure" runner is, look at the 2025 numbers.
Bucky Irving finished the 2025 season with 173 carries for 588 yards. Now, you might look at that 3.4 average and think, "Wait, White was better!" But context is everything. Irving battled foot and shoulder injuries that sidelined him for a chunk of the year. When he was healthy, he was the engine. He forced 111 missed tackles over a two-season span—the 3rd highest rate in the league.
Rachaad White, on the other hand, had 132 carries for 572 yards. That 4.3 average looks great on paper, but he lacked the big-play ability. He had zero receiving touchdowns in 2025 compared to Irving’s three. White has become a "dirty yards" specialist—the guy you bring in for short yardage or a 2-minute drill where you need a block.
The Sean Tucker Factor
Don't sleep on Sean Tucker. While everyone was arguing about White vs. Bucky, Tucker was quietly averaging over 5 yards per carry in limited action. During a four-game stretch when Irving was hurt in 2025, Tucker actually outperformed White.
This is why the Bucs are comfortable letting White walk. They have the "Irving and Tucker" era ready to go.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Backfield
The biggest misconception is that Rachaad White "lost" his job because he played poorly. He didn't. He played exactly like Rachaad White. He was steady, reliable, and great in the air.
He lost his job because the Bucs' offensive philosophy changed. Under Liam Coen, they moved away from a "one-man band" approach to a more dynamic, gap-scheme run game. Irving’s vision and lateral jump cuts fit that scheme like a glove. White, who is more of a "one-cut-and-go" or "wait-for-the-screen" type of player, became a luxury the team couldn't afford to prioritize.
Actionable Insights for 2026
If you're a Bucs fan or a fantasy manager looking ahead to the 2026 season, here is the ground truth:
- Bucky Irving is the undisputed RB1. As long as his shoulder holds up, he is the focal point. Expect his targets to increase significantly now that the "safety valve" (White) is gone.
- Target Rachaad White in a new system. If White lands with a team like the Chargers or Raiders that values veteran pass protection and steady 4-yard gains, he could have a "Renaissance" season. He's a professional who doesn't fumble.
- Watch the 2026 Draft. Even with Irving and Tucker, the Bucs need a "big" back. Neither of their current guys is a traditional 220-pound bruiser. If Tampa takes a flyer on a mid-round power back, that's your goal-line vulture.
- Monitor Sean Tucker’s Restricted Free Agency. If another team put a high tender on him, the Bucs might have a depth issue. But for now, he’s the primary backup to Irving.
The Rachaad White era in Tampa was productive, but the Bucky Irving era is clearly where the upside lives. The transition was rocky, and the social media drama was avoidable, but the tape doesn't lie: Bucky is the future.