Man, looking at the bucs running back depth chart right now is like watching a game of musical chairs where the music just stopped, but half the players are already headed for the exit. We’ve spent the last couple of years watching this backfield evolve from the "Rachaad White Show" into this weird, effective, but sometimes frustrating committee. If you’ve been following the 2025 season that just wrapped up, you know it wasn't exactly a smooth ride. Between Bucky Irving’s explosive rookie arrival and Rachaad White’s looming free agency, the hierarchy in Tampa is about as stable as a house of cards in a Florida hurricane.
Honestly, the situation is kind of fascinating. We went from having one of the worst rushing attacks in the league to suddenly having "too many mouths to feed," according to some local beat writers. But as we head into the 2026 offseason, that depth is about to get tested in a way we haven't seen since the post-Super Bowl era.
The Current State of the Bucs Running Back Depth Chart
As of January 2026, the official pecking order looks a bit different than what we saw on paper back in August. Injuries and "hot hand" coaching decisions have blurred the lines. Here is how the room actually shakes out right now:
- Bucky Irving (The RB1 in Waiting)
- Rachaad White (The Veteran Starter/Impending Free Agent)
- Sean Tucker (The Breakout Specialist)
- Josh Williams / Owen Wright (Special Teams/Reserve)
It’s wild to think that Bucky Irving is basically the man now. After what he did in 2024—leading all rookies in scrimmage yards—he was supposed to own 2025. Then the injury bug hit. He dealt with foot and shoulder issues that sidelined him for a huge chunk of the middle of the season. He did come back in Week 13 against Arizona, but he wasn't quite the same "missed tackle machine" until the very end.
Still, the stats don't lie. Even with the missed time, Irving put up 588 yards on 173 carries. That 3.4 average looks low, but if you watched the games, you saw him fighting for every single blade of grass behind a line that had its fair share of struggles.
Why Rachaad White is Probably Gone
This is the part that hurts for a lot of fans. Rachaad White has been the heartbeat of this offense in many ways, especially as a safety valve for Baker Mayfield. But have you seen his social media lately? The guy basically posted a "thanks for the memories" montage on Instagram.
White is an unrestricted free agent this March. In 2025, he was basically the bridge. When Bucky was out, White stepped up and handled the load, finishing with 572 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 132 carries. He’s still that elite pass-catcher—even though he didn't hit 50 receptions this year for the first time in his career—but the Bucs seem ready to get younger and cheaper.
The reality is that White's role shifted to a "3rd down and change-of-pace" guy once Irving returned. For a guy who wants to be a lead back and is looking for his first big veteran contract, Tampa just isn't the place where he's going to get 20 touches a game anymore. It’s sort of a "it’s not you, it’s me" situation with the front office.
The Sean Tucker Factor
Don't sleep on Sean Tucker. Seriously.
If there’s one reason the Bucs feel comfortable letting White walk, it’s because Tucker proved he belongs. Remember that Week 11 game against the Bills? Tucker went off for 106 yards and two scores. He’s got this low center of gravity that makes him a nightmare to bring down in the hole.
Throughout 2025, Tucker snagged 177 snaps and turned them into 320 yards. He’s a restricted free agent, meaning the Bucs have a lot more control over keeping him than they do with White. Expect him to be the primary 1B to Irving’s 1A next season.
How the 2025 Season Rewrote the Script
If you look back at the bucs running back depth chart from two years ago, the team was dead last in rushing. Literally 32nd. Fast forward to now, and while they aren't the 1972 Dolphins, they’ve found an identity.
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The Bucs finished the 2024 season with a franchise-record 5.3 yards per attempt. 2025 was a bit of a regression due to the injuries, but the philosophy hasn't changed. They want to run the ball to set up the deep shots to Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka (who had a monster 938-yard season, by the way).
"The duo have served as complements to Irving and White is No. 3 in receiving touchdowns (nine) and No. 5 in yards after catch among RBs since 2023." — Official Bucs Team Evaluation, Jan 2026
The problem? Consistency.
One week you’d see Irving carving up a defense with lateral jump cuts that make your ankles hurt just watching. The next, the run game would vanish for three quarters. The "pony package"—that two-RB look that Liam Coen loved—didn't show up as much under Josh Grizzard as some hoped, which kind of left White and Tucker fighting for scraps when Bucky was healthy.
Breaking Down the 2025 Production
- Bucky Irving: 173 carries, 588 yards, 1 TD. (Added 277 receiving yards and 3 TDs).
- Rachaad White: 132 carries, 572 yards, 4 TDs. (Added 218 receiving yards).
- Sean Tucker: 86 carries, 320 yards, 2 TDs. (Added 34 receiving yards and 1 TD).
It’s almost a perfect split between the top two. That’s great for keeping legs fresh, but it’s tough for fantasy owners and tough for guys trying to build a Pro Bowl resume.
What Happens in the 2026 Offseason?
So, where do we go from here? The bucs running back depth chart is going to look empty behind Irving and Tucker very soon.
First, the Bucs need to decide on Sean Tucker’s tender. It’s almost a guarantee they keep him. Second, they have to face the fact that they’ll need a "big" back. While Irving is tough, he’s not a 230-pound bruiser. Neither is Tucker, really.
There’s a lot of chatter about the Bucs looking at a mid-round pick in the 2026 Draft to find a short-yardage specialist. Someone who can do the "dirty work" that White used to do between the tackles without costing $8 million a year.
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Free Agency Targets?
If they don't go the draft route, keep an eye on the veteran market. The Bucs have been smart with one-year deals lately (think Chase Edmonds a couple of years back). They need a veteran presence in that room if White leaves, because suddenly Bucky Irving becomes the "old man" of the group in just his third year.
The Baker Mayfield Connection
We can’t talk about the RBs without mentioning Baker. He actually finished 2025 as the third-leading rusher on the team with 382 yards. That’s... not ideal.
While Baker’s scrambling saved a lot of broken plays, the coaching staff wants those yards coming from the guys in the backfield. The better the bucs running back depth chart performs, the less Baker has to take hits. And at this stage of his career, keeping Baker clean is priority number one.
Final Thoughts for the 2026 Season
The "Three-Headed Hydra" is likely down to two heads by the time training camp rolls around. If you’re a fan, you should be excited about Bucky Irving getting a full, healthy season as the undisputed lead dog. But you should also be prepared for some growing pains as the team transitions away from Rachaad White’s versatility.
Here’s the deal:
- Expect Irving to see 200+ carries if his shoulder holds up.
- Watch for Sean Tucker to potentially double his workload.
- Keep an eye on the Draft for a power back to round out the room.
The Bucs' identity is shifting. They aren't the "pass-first, pass-second" team of the Brady era anymore. They want to be physical. Whether this current depth chart can actually deliver that over a 17-game stretch is the $100 million question.
If you're tracking the roster moves this spring, the first indicator will be the Rachaad White news. Once he signs elsewhere, the Bucky Irving era officially begins in earnest. Buckle up, it’s going to be a fast ride.
Actionable Insights for Bucs Fans:
- Monitor the RFA Tender: Watch for the Bucs to place a second-round tender on Sean Tucker to block other teams.
- Salary Cap Watch: With White likely leaving, the Bucs will save significant cap space to potentially bolster the interior offensive line, which will directly help the remaining RBs.
- Draft Focus: Look for the Bucs to interview "downhill" runners at the Combine; they need a hammer to complement Irving's lightning.