“Unsung Hero”
October 15th, 2025
What a player Rachaad White has transformed into.
He blossomed last year into a reliable and versatile threat and has continued that in 2025. In fact, Joe thinks the Bucs are underutilizing White in the passing game.
After Sunday, only four running backs in Bucs history have found the end zone more often than White. With one more score, White will tie Warrick Dunn in that category.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles is very appreciative of his fourth-year back.
“[Rachaad] really been the unsung hero and the glue offensively,” Bowles told the Buccaneers Radio Network. “Between him and Cade [Otton], that kind of keeps everything together. He makes the tough runs and the hard runs. He makes some great catches in the screen game. He makes the tough blocks for us. And when you look up, he’s always there. He’s dicing through the hole, getting extra yards after getting hit — got a 3rd-and-1 play [Sunday] after getting hit in the backfield and made something out of nothing. So he has really been doing all the little things for us to be a good team and for us to win.”
White doesn’t have Bucky Irving’s playmaking ability, but White has been better than Irving this year. The Bucs are damn lucky to have him in Irving’s absence.
October 15th, 2025 at 8:56 am
Rachad has been great. I’m not sur if we aren’t better with him as rb1 and bucky the change of pace… a White 60/ Bucky 40 split.
October 15th, 2025 at 8:59 am
CJ Gardner-Johnson is available to sign to the practice squad. May be good insurance?
October 15th, 2025 at 9:06 am
White has been awesome. I know he’ll never have Bucky Irving’s twitch or moves, but one thing I wish he’d learn to do is pick his knees up when he runs. I’ve never seen a running back get tackled down more by a tackler at his feet, getting both feet in one move, making him fall to the ground.
I’m nitpicking, because he’s been fantastic for us. But he could really take that next step as a runner if he’d learn to do that.
October 15th, 2025 at 9:06 am
Yeah, okay. From cant wait to get rid of him to unsung hero. He was never as bad as you made him Joe
October 15th, 2025 at 9:21 am
Speaking of unsung, at least for one play, Tristan Wirfs. I rewatched the game. His holding call was absolutely bogus. He tossed the defender like a rag doll and his hands were wide open. Just manhandled the opponent. Fortunately the Bucs scored on that drive or we’d be talking more about it.
October 15th, 2025 at 9:23 am
Players never stay the same. They either get better or worse. Coaching matters. White is one of the best blocking running backs in the league. Coaching matters. Our running back coach is really good.
October 15th, 2025 at 9:25 am
CJ Gardner-Johnson has been dropped by several clubs because he is poison in the locker room. Hard pass.
October 15th, 2025 at 9:32 am
buc4evr Says:
October 15th, 2025 at 8:59 am
CJ Gardner-Johnson is available to sign to the practice squad. May be good insurance?
You are kidding right, he hates Baker and Baker doesn’t really like him. Yeah let’s bring in a Cancer. NOPE
October 15th, 2025 at 9:33 am
The Bucs have to reward Rachaad for his team first Buccaneer man role he plays to perfection. He & Bucky are a terror for opposing defenses. Licht & company need to work out a new contract for White, that’s good for both parties. He’s got a lot left in his tank. As Joe astutely pointed out, Rachaad does all the little things so well, his pass protection is top shelf, as is his receiving out of the backfield. And since last year, his ground game has improved immensely. No way they can let him walk this coming off season. Go Bucs!!!!
October 15th, 2025 at 9:37 am
Ok Joe, when Rashad first came here it wasn’t great. And yeah a three yard at best average isn’t really good. I’ll say the line when Marpet? Retired was not opening up to many holes. Once he started catching passes and getting some open field he showed up. Last year he was put in a spot when Bucky came in busting some chops. This season he’s making some hard runs and blocking good and I’m proud of him for last year, he didn’t get all bent out of shape when Bucky took over the number one role. He’s looking good with Bucky down. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
October 15th, 2025 at 9:41 am
Just say no to CJ Gardner Johnson…..he’s a problem which is exactly why he is now bouncing around from team to team. I would think he’s one of those guys that Licht would not even have on his radar.
October 15th, 2025 at 9:44 am
We don’t need safeties right now anyway, it’s a mute point.
Go trade for a LB than can cover or a DT that is a beast.
October 15th, 2025 at 9:47 am
My unsung hero is Sterling Shepard. He’s been absolutely critical to the offensive success this season. He’s been consistently awesome. Big catch after big catch without our top 3 receivers. (Now the top 4). He’s my unsung MVP.
October 15th, 2025 at 9:50 am
Been on board for White since he came here. He’s obviously the most versatile (so far) RB Bucs have. I think it’s terrific that he’s been singled out though I’m sure he hates all the injuries more than we fans do. Go Bucs!!
October 15th, 2025 at 10:01 am
Cybersecurity_intern – I always thought our OL was the issue. The OL has been a big focus for JL over the years and its really starting to pay off. We have great starters and depth which is huge. It wasnt too long ago that we were lucky to even have average starters and if we lost one it was a nightmare scenarior. Even missing Wirfs, we were able to hold our own it’s impressive.
October 15th, 2025 at 10:23 am
We will never sign CJGJ, also, Rachaad, Otton, and Sterling are the unsung heroes for sure
October 15th, 2025 at 10:24 am
cj gardner johnson…lol…talented player that seems to not really stick anywhere…horrendous fit with this squad…geez
October 15th, 2025 at 10:32 am
It’s all about the OL, if they play well then White looks good and Bake looks great. Griz will be severely tested by the Lions to figure out how to run against them. Griz and Pic need to continue to improve the right side of the OL as you can bet that Hutch is drooling looking at Heck and Klein.
October 15th, 2025 at 10:39 am
best ability is reliability–he is on the field unlike multiple others, Bucky is great but we need both these guys
October 15th, 2025 at 10:43 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if White is gone after this year because he’s probably want to go try & start somewhere else. Especially since Bucky is taking over. He’s capable of it.
October 15th, 2025 at 10:45 am
I always kept saying the Bucs should consider using Kameron Johnson more. He’s got the potential to be just like what Devin Hester was to where you can be good on special teams & you can be used as a WR, too!
October 15th, 2025 at 11:49 am
Rachaad wants to get paid and if we can figure it out cap wise, wow that 1-2-(occasionally 3 #PL44SED) headed monster in the backfield is going to be a threat for a long time.
Unfortunately, I think he demands (rightfully so) some RB1 money. It’s gonna suck considering his Tampa career thus far, but I’d still root for him. He doesn’t give off the typical skill position diva attitude. Bucky took his job and he’s taken a step up, good for #1.
For 813 –
Rachaad for President!!
GO BUCS!!!
6-1!!!
October 15th, 2025 at 11:57 am
Rachaad and Shep are priceless this year. Don’t get the accolades, just come to work and make critical plays every game. Shep’s catch and run was so inspiring, not quite like Baker’s scramble but getting there.
The offense is very fun to watch. Kudos to Carberry and Griz.
October 15th, 2025 at 12:13 pm
Would love to keep Rachaad around for another contract. He’s developed into an all around good back. Mature and willing to put his body on the line for the team. Love his dawg mentality
October 15th, 2025 at 1:05 pm
Cha Cha has stopped doing the cha cha and has really stepped his game up this year.
October 15th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
Even when Bucky becomes healthy enough to play we still need to see a bunch of White due to the fact that Bucky will NOT be able to stand up to bellcow number of carries and snaps. White will earn his bag with this standout performance this year, but can and will the Bucs pay him? I sure hope so as White is huge for this team.
October 15th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
Joe … ‘White doesn’t have Bucky Irving’s playmaking ability, but White has been better than Irving this year.’
I guess I don’t understand what ‘playmaking ability’ is Joe, but I’ll take that to mean ‘explosive plays’. Bucky last season got 1122 rushing yards on 207 carries … 5.4 YPC average. Rachaad last season got 613 rushing yards on 144 carries … 4.3 YPC average. Both were very good last season, but Bucky had some ‘explosive plays’ during the season that few other RBs manage to pull off. For instance, he had 7 ‘explosive runs’ of over 30 yards (31, 32, 31, 56, 43, 54, 34) totaling 281 yards (40 YPC average on those 7 runs).
Those 7 runs boosted Bucky’s average YPC tremendously. Subtract them, and his other 200 rushes totalled 841 yards … 4.2 YPC average … essentially the same as Rachaad’s 4.3 YPC.
This season Bucky hasn’t really hit any of those ‘explosive runs’ (his longest each game have been 9, 10, 15, 16) yet. And as a consequence his average is sitting at 3.3 YPC (71 rushes for 237 yards). Rachaad OTOH has an average 4.0 YPC (54 rushes for 214 yards), pretty close to what he produced last season.
It’s the ‘explosive runs’ that set Bucky apart from our other RBs. Even from Tucker, who’s supposedly much faster (reportedly ran a 4.33 sec 40-yd dash in a training workout, but didn’t run in the Combine). Bucky’s Combine time was 4.55 sec, and Rachaad’s was 4.48 sec. Doesn’t make sense, but the results speak for themselves.
October 15th, 2025 at 1:32 pm
@Aqualung
Well said. And the accolades are certainly deserving of the “unsung hero” class.
October 15th, 2025 at 1:45 pm
Rachaad has been an unsung hero since his rookie year; the first half of which was on “return” before starting at running back and quickly proving to be the #1 RB.
“Improved”?! Huh?! No, no there are those who recognized Rachaad’s special and elite talent, and this who were wrong, and didn’t “see it;” wand are now trying to “pass off” their error, and coping-out by saying he “improved.”
No, Rachaad carried the offense (with zero run-blocking by an absent O-line) until Bucky arrived and greatly benefitted by Jason’s brilliant drafting of Graham and placing Goedecki at right tackle.
Look, Bucky and Rachaad are different types of running backs:
Bucky’s a Curtis Martin, every-down, cut-back, and Rachaad is a smart, multi talented big play maker who could have a fifteen year career; and although Rachaad could be an every-down rusher, his great value over the long-term shouldn’t be squandered with the injury-risk; Rachaad’s a “secret weapon” like the great James White or Kevin Faulk: when.the playoffs and Super Bowl come, “Yer gonna! need im!”
October 15th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
WHITE AND SHEP get my vote….i’ll throw in Bredenson too!!!!
6-1!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!
October 15th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
miken … ‘Rachaad has been great. I’m not sure if we aren’t better with him as rb1 and Bucky the change of pace… a White 60/ Bucky 40 split.’
I agree with you Miken. I consider Rachaad to be the better pass protector, and there’s nothing more important to the Bucs than keeping Baker protected.
I for one also like the dual RB formations, and wish that we’d use it more often. Just looking at the snap counts, looks to me like we’ve used that formation 12 times this season, roughly 3% of our plays. And BTW, the snap counts tell folks how much everyone is being used. Thru 6 games …
o Baker Mayfield: 396 off snaps (100.0%)
o Bucky Irving: 198 off snaps (50.0%)
o Rachaad White: 179 off snaps (45.2%)
o Sean Tucker: 28 off snaps (7.1%)
o Josh Williams: 2 off snaps (0.5%)
o Owen Wright: 1 off snap (0.3%)
Of course, Bucky’s missed the last 2 games but Rachaad’s played in all 6. Bucky was being used a LOT MORE in games 1-4 than Rachaad was. Hopefully after these past 2 games, Grizz will shoot for a more balanced use of the 2 of them in the future.
October 15th, 2025 at 2:02 pm
Rachaad needs to be a priority-signing next year; if not, guaranteed that
Tom Brady will have Rachaad a Raider within seconds of the opportunity. Even faster than Kyle Shanahan will move on it.
October 15th, 2025 at 2:31 pm
The Bucs really need to find a way to keep him. This year’s record shows the value of the depth we have this year that we did not have last year.
October 15th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
Rachaad is an absolute stud in pass pro. One of the best. Without him picking up the right side rushers, Baker would not have time on some of these throws.
October 15th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
RW, is running fresh. He carried the load early on in his time here and took a beating.I hope he keeps it up stays healthy. Shep is savvy and Baker likes him . I like whites celebrations very cool stuff.
October 15th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
With all that Rachaad can do it would be foolish not to try to resign him. Players with that kind of versatility don’t grow on trees. Plus he’s a good character guy as well!
October 15th, 2025 at 3:31 pm
If you look around the league, you need 2 good running backs to compete consistently. It would be great if we could keep him in Tampa. He is not hesitating this year and it has improved his performance from scrimmage. He’s always been good catching out of the backfield and blocking. I hope he stays here. Nothing better than a draft pick staying long term.
October 15th, 2025 at 4:06 pm
What a player Rachaad White has transformed into.
———
He hasn’t transformed into anything, he’s just getting a chance in a modern NFL offense to show what he can do vs that low IQ dullard Leftwich who ran the same plays over and over again in the same order, and Canales, who was better, but still very conservative and predictable. With Coen last year, the offense finally wasn’t completely predictable, people during TV timeouts couldn’t script the next 3 plays before they happened, and shock, White suddenly looked like a good NFL RB. Then this year, with Bucky out, again White is getting a chance to play in the same modern scheme – and shock, he’s again proving he’s a quality NFL RB — and an absolutely fantastic blocker for a RB, and with all the offensive line issues earlier in the season, that might have been his most important trait.
Anywho, glad he’s finally getting a chance to show what he can do. However it also means he’s likely going to be too expensive to keep, but lets hope otherwise. The last thing the team should want is to have been in this situation and had to rely on Tucker. Maybe he’d have been an adequate fill-in for a backup, but he also would have likely got Baker killed with his awful blocking while he’d be unlikely to have added much on the ground with his super basic north/south no vision running style.
October 15th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
If they had given him more snaps early season bucky possibly is not injured
October 15th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Why isnt he re-signed? I dont know.
If we let him go, its going to be another Blount issue….he’ll win a SB with someone else.
And get Maxx Crosby.