The Washington Commanders could very well have their running back of the future in rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, but putting all their eggs in that basket didn’t really pay off in 2025.
In fact, trading running back Brian Robinson to the San Francisco 49ers before the season started came back to bite the Commanders, who could have used Robinson’s talent and experience in a season where their best players were constantly plagued by injuries.
At one point, it’s not hard to see how the Commanders were essentially desperate for a player like Robinson. That’s why Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay thinks the Commanders should go after Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White in the 2026 free agency cycle.
White has over 1,000 yards from scrimmage each of the last 2 seasons, including over 1,500 yards in 2023 although he’s been in a backup role to Bucky Irving â when Irving wasn’t hurt â and is almost certainly out the door next year.
“Teams shouldn’t look to sign White as their RB1, but he’ll make an excellent third-down option for many clubs,” Kay wrote on December 30. “Expect him to ink a modest contract, likely in the $7 million per year range, with a team that could maximize his talents as a receiving weapon. The Washington Commanders could be an intriguing landing spot for White. The back has a history with quarterback Jayden Danielsâplaying together at Arizona State in 2021âand could round out a backfield that has a promising young piece in Jacory Croskey-Merritt but is set to lose both Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols this offseason.”
White Was Trade Bait Before Season
White spent almost the entire past offseason with trade rumors hanging over his head after ESPNâs Adam Schefter listed him among players headed into the final season of their rookie contracts who could be âexpendableâ via trade just days before the 2025 NFL draft.
White continued to perform for Tampa Bay in 2024 and served as a mentor to Irving despite seeing the rookie take his spot in the starting lineup late in the season. Even with that unexpected turn, White still put up over 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the second consecutive season and scored 9 touchdowns for the second consecutive season.
As the featured back for the Buccaneers in 2023, White had over 1,500 yards of total offense.
In 2025, White has 749 yards of total offense and 4 touchdowns as the Buccaneers have struggled as a team â they’re 7-9 overall and have lost 7 of their last 8 games headed into the Week 18 regular season finale against the Carolina Panthers.
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