The ground game in Tampa used to be a punchline. Honestly, for a couple of years there, watching a Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB try to find a hole was like watching someone try to find their keys in the dark—lots of fumbling around and not much forward progress. But 2024 and the start of this 2025 stretch changed the vibe entirely.
It wasn't just one thing. It was a weird, perfect storm of a breakout starter, a lightning-bolt rookie, and a coaching staff that finally stopped trying to force a square peg into a round hole.
The Rachaad White Transformation
Rachaad White is the guy everyone wants to talk about. He’s the engine. But if you look at his 2023 stats, they were kinda misleading. He had nearly 1,000 rushing yards and was a monster in the passing game, but his yards per carry? It wasn't great. People were calling him "inefficient," which is basically scout-speak for "he’s getting what’s blocked and nothing more."
Then things shifted.
White started hitting the hole with more violence. You could see it on film against teams like Detroit and Atlanta; he wasn't dancing as much at the line of scrimmage. He stopped waiting for the perfect lane and started creating his own. That’s the difference between a "guy who plays RB" and a "Buccaneers RB who wins games." He realized that in Liam Coen’s system, the lateral movement is just a setup for the vertical cut.
He’s basically a wide receiver trapped in a 210-pound frame. His ability to snag balls out of the air on choice routes makes him a nightmare for linebackers. If you blink, he’s gained twelve yards on a simple check-down.
📖 Related: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
Bucky Irving: The Bolt of Lightning
You can't talk about the Tampa backfield without mentioning Bucky Irving. When the Bucs drafted him out of Oregon, some people worried about his size. He’s not a bruiser. He’s small. But man, he is slippery.
Watching Irving and White rotate is fascinating because they have such different styles. White is smooth, long-striding, and rhythmic. Irving is chaotic. He runs like he’s caffeinated and late for a meeting. He forces missed tackles at a rate that seems statistically impossible for someone his size.
- The Contrast: White wears the defense down with volume and receiving versatility.
- The Punch: Irving comes in and rips off a 15-yard gain because the defenders are still bracing for White’s style of play.
- The Result: A tired defense in the fourth quarter.
It’s a classic "thunder and lightning" duo, except the thunder is actually a very refined pass-catcher and the lightning is a guy who refuses to go down on the first contact.
Why the Scheme Actually Matters Now
For a long time, the Bucs ran a very static, predictable run game. It was "run-run-pass-punt" territory. Under the new offensive philosophy, they’ve leaned heavily into mid-zone and wide-zone schemes. This allows the Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB group to use their vision.
Instead of being told "run through this specific gap," they’re told "read the edge defender and make a choice." For a guy like White, that’s like giving a painter a better brush. He sees the game in slow motion. When the offensive line—anchored by guys like Tristan Wirfs and Graham Barton—washes the defensive line down, White has the patience to let the play develop.
👉 See also: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
The "Third Man" Factor
Don't sleep on the depth. In the NFL, you’re always one twisted ankle away from disaster. The Bucs have cycled through guys like Sean Tucker, who showed flashes of absolute brilliance during the preseason and limited regular-season touches. Tucker has that pure, unadulterated speed that makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
Most teams have a "starter" and a "backup." The Bucs have a "rotation."
It’s a selfless room. You see White cheering for Irving. You see the veteran leadership keeping the young guys focused on pass protection, which is honestly the hardest part of being a Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB. If you can’t block for the quarterback, you won't see the field. Period. White’s improvement in blitz pickup is arguably the most underrated part of his game. He’s saved the QB from a blindside hit more times than I can count.
Addressing the "Lombardi" Hangover
There was this lingering feeling after the Super Bowl win with Tom Brady that the run game was just a secondary thought. It was almost like the team forgot how to be physical.
But football is cyclical.
✨ Don't miss: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
The league moved toward these light, fast defenses designed to stop the pass. How do you beat that? You run the ball down their throats. The Bucs finally leaned back into that identity. They aren't trying to be the "Greatest Show on Turf." They’re trying to be a team that makes you sore the next morning.
When you look at the advanced metrics—specifically "Yards After Contact"—the Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB room has skyrocketed up the rankings. It’s a testament to their conditioning and, frankly, their attitude. They run angry.
What This Means for the Future
The window for an NFL running back is notoriously short. We know this. You’re lucky to get five good years before the wheels start to feel a bit wobbly. But the way Tampa is managing their backfield suggests they want to extend that timeline.
By splitting carries between White and Irving, they’re keeping both sets of legs fresh for December and January. That’s when the real season starts. You need a backfield that can grind out four-yard gains in the cold when the passing game is struggling.
The Bucs have built a stable that can handle that.
Critical Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the "Success Rate," Not Just Total Yards: A 40-yard run is great, but three-yard gains on 3rd & 2 keep the chains moving. That is where White has improved the most.
- Pass Protection is King: If you're wondering why a talented rookie isn't playing, look at his feet when a linebacker blitzes. If he misses the block, he sits on the bench.
- The Barton Effect: Having a center like Graham Barton who can reach the second level of the defense is a cheat code for running backs.
- Weathering the Storm: Injuries happen. The Bucs have built their roster to be "injury-resistant" rather than "injury-proof" by having high-quality depth at the RB position.
Actionable Steps for the Rest of the Season
If you're tracking the progress of this unit, keep an eye on the "Red Zone Conversion Rate." A successful Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB needs to be able to punch it in from the five-yard line without needing a perfect block.
- Monitor the Snap Count: If the split between White and Irving stays around 60/40, expect both to stay healthy. If it shifts heavily one way, fatigue might become a factor.
- Check the Targets: Rachaad White should be seeing 5-8 targets a game. If that number drops, the offense usually becomes way too predictable.
- Focus on the Interior: Watch the guard play. The RBs are only as good as the holes created by the interior offensive line. If the guards are getting pushed back, the run game dies.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB situation has evolved from a liability into a genuine strength. It’s no longer just about supporting the quarterback; it’s about dictating the tempo of the game. Whether it’s White’s finesse or Irving’s twitchy explosiveness, the Bucs finally have a ground game that defenders actually have to respect.