Rachaad White: “Let’s Just Be A Man Of Our Word”
January 14th, 2026
Rachaad White was not the happiest Bucs camper in his final weeks of this season.
He was not a bitter worker; he was just eager to move on from Tampa Bay.
Too much floating around by teammates? It was more than that.
White joined the Loose Cannons podcast this week and wanted fans to know he is not bitter about sharing a backfield after being the Bucs’ go-to running back in 2023.
This year, however, White didn’t think quality play was always rewarded. White averaged 4.3 yards per carry while starter Bucky Irving (when healthy) averaged 3.4 yards.
White sounded like a guy longing for the Bucs playcaller days of Dave Canales and Liam Coen.
“I want to clear the air on that. It’s not about being a bellcow. It’s not about that,” White said. “I think for me … and I always said this, even early in my career, even when I chose my college … it’s about understanding who can put me in position to be successful.
“Obviously in the league it’s the best on best. I mean, 20, 30 touches [per game], it sounds amazing. Whatever people want to say, I had my best year my second year with over 1500 scrimmage [yards] and the 10 touchdowns or so … Like I really didn’t even want the ball that many times that year; I had the ball like 300-something times. But obviously, I’ve always been the guy who’s gonna do what he’s asked to do
“… And I ain’t never been the guy who cause a problem. I always wanted someone else playing the backfield with me. But if we gonna say we gonna do the hot hand thing, and a guy got the hot hand, you know, then let’s just be a man of our word and be real about it. But if that’s not what we’re doing, then I’m professional, I’m man enough to understand.”
The “hot hand” reference, Joe believes, is to head coach Todd Bowles saying repeatedly he would use the hot hand at running back. Playcaller Josh Grizzard said that, too. However, sometimes White’s hot hand was kept on the bench in multiple games.
It was obvious the Bucs preferred Irving over White, but apparently that reality sent a mixed message White has no interest hearing again in 2026. He’s moving on in free agency.
January 14th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
He clearly deserved to touch the ball more this year. Can’t blame him for moving on.
January 14th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
Not a huge White fan but def can’t blame the guy. I’d be pissed too
January 14th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
He isn’t as good as Bucky so if Bucky is healthy Bucky needs to be in the game.This ain’t pop Warner where everybody plays the same amount and carries are divided.Sometimes I think coaches worry too much about keeping everyone happy.How many carries did James Wilders backup get?
January 14th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Whenever I hear an NFL coach say they’re going with the hot hand, I immediately hear, “Pay attention to what we say, not what we do.”
January 14th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
I do feel for him. These guys have short careers, its crucial you get lots of touches in your early contract so you can get another good one. I mean who would realistically pay him more than $7m a year?
January 14th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
These comments pale in comparison to the bowles and defensive opinions he provided.
January 14th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
I can fault the guy. We all know why Irving was the starter this year. He made big plays last year. When he was injured, clearly someone else becomes primary and then when Bucky returned, the hope is we would see Bucky 2024 but that failed to materialize. If White is too daft to understand that, then we don’t need him. White is good but he is no RB1 and well we don’t need that quiet simmering attitude in the locker room. If anyone should have seen more carries, it was Sean Tucker. Imagine if our WRs started going around quietly carrying a chip on their shoulders as another WR is being targeted. Again we don’t need it. White, I wish you the best but you have some growing up to do. Speaking out in media like this though may give other teams pause.
January 14th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Bucs Interviewing Mike McDaniel Friday.
January 14th, 2026 at 4:58 pm
Maybe if he could Rush the passer he would have played more. Lol
January 14th, 2026 at 4:59 pm
I think Bucs coaches gave Rachaad White a raw deal for whatever reason. Also lying about the ‘hot hand’ wouldn’t sit well with all the other players. So if anything Todd showed his true self… someone with little coaching capabilities. Someone with an agenda, someone to be mistrusted. I’m pretty confident next year will be a terrible year for Bucs fan and a losing season to show for it.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
White was the better all around back this year.
Him going is a loss
January 14th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
“But if we gonna say we gonna do the hot hand thing, and a guy got the hot hand, you know, then let’s just be a man of our word and be real about it. But if that’s not what we’re doing, then I’m professional, I’m man enough to understand.”
Know for a fact, myself and like minded poster here were able to sniff out the favoritism over actually riding the hot hand very early this season.
Don’t blame Chaad for feeling the way he does, and this is how constantly having a new OC can affect players not named Baker Mayfield. Think about it, Grizzs’ first year was Irving rookie year and that left an impression. My thing is, I know they e got Whites year 1 & 2 tape loaded up somewhere in 1Buc. Imagine sitting down at a chess board with no clue how to play a pawn in comparison to your rooks.
Too much, too sign for Grizz. The plate was clearly too big for his stomach.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
They did Rachaad dirty this season. Bucky will not hold up. But Bucs fans changed his name in the Licht House so he gets the flowers. Chaad will NOT be easy to replace, and we’ll need to get some more well rounded TEs to lean on a back like Bucky every down. What a waste of a great RB room.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:03 pm
I think what White is talking about is, a lot to do with this year starting when Bucky got back. It was clear that Bucky wasn’t his old self and several games they kept White on the bench and Bucky was only averaging 2 yards a carry. Also I am with Joe, the Bucs didn’t use him where his strengths were, as a pass catcher out of the backfield. We all could see he wasn’t a good runner he didn’t see the openings well out of the backfield. Hope he find a team that will use where he’s best
January 14th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
Down the stretch Bowles and Grizzard apparently weren’t on the same page with Grazzard having Erving playing more despite White outperforming him.
Hopefully the 2026 Bucs win the division and win playoff games. If Bowles is the coach he says he is then great, if not send him to an early retirement.
One of the things that hurts Bowles is his storick personality, it’s not motivational.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
So if White is not as good as Bucky , then why did White carry for almost a full yard more in YPC?
Some of y’all are so freaking stupid.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
McDaniel interviewing for Offensive Coordinator!
January 14th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
‘he was just eager to move on from Tampa Bay.’
NOT something many players do if they play for a WINNER as HC!
I would think MANY a Bucs players are eager to move on from Bucs….
January 14th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
Another prime example of the inept coaching on this team….it’s a disgrace! Bowles is an Inept head coach. The media needs to deep dive into why this is taking place! But they won’t cuz they’re in fear of losing their cozy relationship with upper management and owners….someone needs to grow a pair and go after Lyght, the Glazers and ARIANS to explain the reasoning behind this nonsense….dig deep, get some answers and don’t be afraid to slam management. The kid glove treatment the local media treats the Bucs is ridiculous.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
Completely agree with him. Him and Bucky were a great pair. Would be awesome to keep them together for years, but instead it is going to be him and Tucker, which is also very good.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
I don’t care what higher says, he was one of the problems in that Locker room. It is always the one that says it’s not me…
It may have been for a valid reason but, don’t tell me BS that he never caused any stir over his depreciating free agent value in that room.
Move on son, let’s see if you do any better, I doubt it.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
Don’t blame him for leaving. Would not blame Evans, either.
This team is a train wreck. A disaster. Bowles is a lame duck. Everyone knows it.
That’s why they are having trouble getting assistants.
Monken and McDaniel would only come here for a tractor full of cash and a promise of elevation when Bowles gets canned.
Can’t wait until the ticket people start pimping me like they do when the attendance drops. I’ll be happy to schedule another tour and then tell them why it’s a hell no.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
Mickman
Then maybe you should listen to the other players and coaches who have said White has handled everything with nothing but professionalism. You’re just guessing at crap you know nothing about and calling someone out. Pathetic.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
RW is a great player and I wish things had been different for him while with the Bucs. He will find a good home soon enough. Good luck to you RW!
January 14th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
@Truthbetold
Actually, the truth is No. Bowles mind is BURNT. And yeah… Ole Bucky there Surely DID NOT have Any Sort of hot hand! He should have been benched for the better player and wasn’t. Just MORE PROOF of a confused and Lost Team.. White WAS the Smarter play. Clearly. And Why Not give White the shot at 4.3 on average? Delusional Thinking! Nobody (in public) knows WHO to blame but I’d say it’s fair enough to blame BOTH Bowles and Grizzard because THAT’S All we can be sure of…
The man (Bowles) is So Very Very lost and in UTTER Denial of how this game is Played and Won…. THE PLAYERS…. the ones that once trusted him…. COMPLETELY turned their backs on his TWISTED, INEFFECTIVE, and OBSCURELY DISJOINTED schemes and thought process’s. He’s mentally COOKED! He’s done.
This isn’t an attack on you btw. The point is its Already Beyond the point of a Very Bad joke…
He should NOT BE Coaching for his Personal Mental Health reasons ALONE! Much less the Health of this team!
Maybe the Glazers truly feel bad for him and are making a Different HUGE MISTAKE which just Multiples the Damage..
The guy (Bowles) REALLY NEEDS to take a step back Away from football for his own good.
I’ve heard NO WORD about hiring an actual “dedicated” DC….. HE’S “”ALREADY “” FLAMED OUT! Emotionally, Spiritually, Physically… And It’s ONLY going to get Worse without TRUE CHANGE! It’s Only GOING TO get worse….
Truth be told…. THAT’S the TRUTH.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
Easy to blame Bowles…but he didn’t run the offense or control the number of snaps White got. Josh Grizzard did.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
Exactly. These coaches have no feel for the game or energy or momentum or math or common sense or utilizing specific players skills or fundamentals and we still got the clueless Bowles. Glad i cancelled my season tickets last year. It’s a Bucs life.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
If we get a great OC…and that guy calls White…White will return, assuming he doesn’t sign elsewhere first.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
@Truth be Told
Love the handle and that’s why I picked your joke. I was NOT picking on you. Just so you know. Your handle worked nice for the finishing line. Peace..
January 14th, 2026 at 5:43 pm
Yeah if he moves on we will certainly miss him. He came in lighter and had the moves to the line of scrimmage and in the flat, was totally misused. He’s right, the hot hand could have been him and Tucker and I think that’s what he’s saying, he’s not selfish and he is one of “those guys” you want. I hope the new OC can talk him into staying because with the stuff that went on with Bucky this year we will need him, and you don’t throw guys like that away.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:44 pm
Fire Grizzard….oh wait, we’ve done that…
January 14th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
Rachaad was the victim of a bush-league offensive strategy that will hopefully be history at the beginning of the season this year.
The man is versatile, durable, has surprising north-south power, good hands, and strong ability to gain yards after the catch.
White is tough and dependable! It would be a mistake to let him walk without trying to negotiate a new contract. He’s a really key asset in a winning season for the right OC! Canales knew how to utilize him — and he performed!
Let’s see how the next OC feels about retaining Rachaad.
January 14th, 2026 at 5:51 pm
That’s why Bowles should be gone. He’s afraid to make the tough decisions that elevate high performing players over ones who need to be benched. Irving deserved benching fragile ego and all. Instead of benching Zion McCollum he put him on the injury list.
January 14th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
Bonzai, Grizz was the OC but how much control did Bowles have over offensive pplayy calling? Bowles certainly told Grizz to go turtle in that first Carolina game to control clock and keep his D off of tge field. Did he also enciurage Grizz to use Bucky more to help him get out of whatever mental funk he was/has been in since getting injured? Bowles is HC and he is accountable in the end or should be.
January 14th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
“Easy to blame Bowles…but he didn’t run the offense or control the number of snaps White got. Josh Grizzard did.“
For anybody who’s seen the movie “Friday” within an hour of Grizzard being fired, white posted the gif of John Witherspoon(rip) on the toilet spraying air freshener.
It says so much without really saying anything at all.
January 14th, 2026 at 6:08 pm
Bucs are putting a lot of Faith in Bucky. Given he has had some sort of issue which has affected his confidence, that is troubling. I wish White well wherever he ends up. He is a good tteammate and solid but not great RB with a good tool set. I hope he does not boat race Todd’s D next season if he ends up playing for a rival.
January 14th, 2026 at 6:23 pm
Mike McDaniel would make R White great again and know how to use the backs ,,, I wouldn’t call White gone just yet ,,, anyone else and he’s probably gone ,, and if they interview McDaniel Friday hey best not let him leave the building
January 14th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
We had no real run game especially in the latter half of the season because of the turnstile guards and fairly often injured tackles. It’s a recipe for failure to have that many people in your offensive line out of the game so frequently. Running backs were getting nailed 4-5 yards behind the line of scrimmage quite often. It’s a wonder one of Baker’s handoffs didn’t end up going to the other team they were penetrating so fast! We have got to train these athletes to get injured much less often. Not sure how you do that. Also need better depth- though starting caliber players tend to want to start.
January 14th, 2026 at 6:35 pm
This will be a big loss for us, once he signs someplace else and we have no chance of getting him back.
We had a legit three-headed monster in our RB room.
I don’t blame Rachaad for wanting to move on.
Unfortunately, I don’t think he’d re-sign with us, and I think the powers that be are happy to let him go.
Foolish, if you ask me.
January 14th, 2026 at 6:37 pm
White will be missed. Feel like this year he was blocking more to cover our Oline deficiencies.
January 14th, 2026 at 6:37 pm
RW was STILL getting good ypc late in the season when Bucky clearly wasn’t
January 14th, 2026 at 6:44 pm
White also said he didnt think Todd should be calling plays for the defense I think we can all agree on that one RW.
January 14th, 2026 at 6:47 pm
I still say Sean Tucker is a better back than both White or Irving. Feed him. Hopefully he works on his blocking this off season.
January 14th, 2026 at 6:48 pm
Rashad, here is some free advice. Don’t say anything else publicly until you sign with a new team. You’re damaging your career by saying negative things about your previous employer. You definitely deserved more respect and touches this year. Wishing the best for you.
January 14th, 2026 at 6:55 pm
He sure likes to run his mouth in the offseason.
January 14th, 2026 at 7:08 pm
And those (defensive opinions) really pale in comparison to the opinions he has on the Tampa Bay fans – 😂
January 14th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
When the Raiders hire McDaniels he should slide on over there with Jeanty,Bowers & Mendoza Oh i forgot add AJ in the mix go get Tommy. 🤙🏾👊🏾
January 14th, 2026 at 7:13 pm
Its the nature of the game. Before it’s rojo, then Lenny, then RW, now it’s Bucky. One day somebody will come and a new rb1 will takeover.
Grow up!
January 14th, 2026 at 7:29 pm
Escape from Bowzo
January 14th, 2026 at 7:30 pm
White was our most effective RB this season. They were hell bent on giving Sean Tucker the ball, and he had a couple good games, but he can’t run between the tackles as well as White.
Bucky is a nice player, but he isn’t built for a full workload. 20 touches a game is unsustainable for a player his size.
Anybody that doesnt think Bowles was meddling with the offense this year is kidding themselves. He took every opportunity he could to comment on the offense in his press conferences. Theres no way he wasn’t telling Grizzard what he wanted behind closed doors.
January 14th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
I believe White is bitter, and the reason I say that, is because He thought that he deserved to be HB1, He had his opportunities, after “PLAYOFF LENNY” left the team, but did He take advantage of that? No, and then We draft Bucky and Bucky comes in and out performs him. If he thought he should have been HB1, he could have prevented Bucky from ever seeing the field, by his play, so that’s his problem, if you don’t want to be a BUC, don’t be a BUC, I won’t miss You…. Let’s Go Bucs!!!
January 14th, 2026 at 7:57 pm
Thanks, Warren brooks Lynch
For the visual and laugh. Grizz takes most the blame for pulling him after a big play. But Baker should have used him as an outlet since he was the only back who excelled in pass pro. I have seen him block multiple rushers by blocking one into
another. He did his job in spite of coaching decisions. And if he wants to air it out,
in public then I think he is justified.
January 14th, 2026 at 7:59 pm
White is a solid RB2/3. He’s a fine player but can’t use cap space on that when they are plentiful in the draft every year.
January 14th, 2026 at 8:18 pm
I genuinely respect this guy, losing him would be a Michael Bennett level regret for me