There’s a chance the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have one of the NFL’s best offenses in 2025. That’s mostly thanks to a pair of future Pro Football Hall of Famers in wide receiver Mike Evans and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, along with 2-time Pro Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The Buccaneers also have almost unmatched depth at running back thanks to breakout star Bucky Irving and veteran Rachaad White, with Irving taking over starting duties for White at the end of a bravura rookie season in 2024.
While White won’t be the starter for the Buccaneers in 2025, he’s put up numbers many teams would covet in a starting running back â including 17-game averages of 1,127 yards from scrimmage and 7 touchdowns over his first 3 seasons. That’s a stretch in which White has also been incredibly durable, having only missed one game in his career.
That’s all part of why Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay named White the No. 2 top backup running back in the NFL headed into the season.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneersâ backfield has been flipped from the start of 2024,” Kay wrote on July 1. “Rachaad White will now serve as the backup to Bucky Irving, who opened last year as the second-stringer. While Irving was clearly Tampaâs best rusher last season â he put up 1,122 yards and eight scores on only 207 carries â both backs proved competent and capable in the passing game.”
White Might Have More Value in Trade
White could get big money in free agency following this season as he plays out the 4-year, $5.12 million contract he signed after Tampa Bay drafted him in the third round (No. 91 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft out of Arizona State.
He could also be trade bait if the Buccaneers feel confident that not only can Irving carry almost the entire rushing workload but that they also have a semi competent backup in Sean Tucker.
Tucker showed he might be up to the task with a breakout game in a 51-27 win over the New Orleans Saints on October 13, with 192 yards of total offense and 2 touchdowns, including 136 rushing yards.
Whiteâs value to the Buccaneers came into full focus during the 2025 NFL draft when ESPNâs Adam Schefter listed him among players headed into the final season of their rookie contracts who could be âexpendableâ via trade.
As the featured back for the Buccaneers in 2023, White had over 1,500 yards of total offense. As a rookie in 2024, Irving rushed for 1,122 yards and 8 touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry to go with 47 receptions for 392 yards.
White had 1,006 yards of total offense and 9 touchdowns in 2024.
Contender Status Likely Nullifies Trade Value
The NFL trade deadline is set for November 4 â conveniently when the Buccaneers have their Week 9 bye. Tampa Bay has a brutal schedule through the first 8 games, and if they’re at least 4-4 headed into the bye, the schedule in the second half is much more forgiving.
In that scenario, the Buccaneers likely hold onto White for a stretch run where they should be favored in each of their final 9 games, with the exception of a Week 11 road game at the Buffalo Bills.
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