Rachaad White Says He Was “Underutilized” And “Underrated”
April 18th, 2026
In the 50 seasons of Buccaneers history, Rachaad White ranks tied for fifth on the all-time list of running backs scoring touchdowns.
Only Mike Alstott, James Wilder, Warrick Dunn and Doug Martin have more.
Last year, White averaged 4.3 yards per carry (4 touchdowns) and stayed healthy for a fourth consecutive season. Bucky Irving was the Bucs’ go-to back, though, and he averaged 3.4 yards per carry (1 touchdown).
After the season, White sprinted out of One Buc Palace and the Bucs didn’t try to catch him. He landed with the Commanders on a one-year deal that pays him $2 million plus a bunch of incentives. White earned $3.5 million with the Bucs last season.
Tampa Bay replaced White in free agency for $7 million with a Bucky Irving clone who also plays special teams: Steelers running back Kenny Gainwell.
Back in mid-January, White seemed very unhappy with Todd Bowles and/or former offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
After several weeks to reflect, White told the Commanders website this week that his Tampa time wasn’t appreciated.
“Underutilized? We could say, ‘Yeah.’ I feel like I’ve been kind of underrated, too,” White said. “But it’s why we get to play this game. It’s why God gave me another opportunity to be able to show it. And obviously, during the journey I’ve been through, it ain’t really kind of nothing new to me.”
White went on to say his résumé speaks for itself. “Each year I have gotten better regardless of the touches I have got, and things like that,” White said.
It’s hard to argue White was not a valuable cog in the Bucs offense: production, durability, pass blocking, and White was a weapon when he got the ball in space. But the Bucs struggled to get White the ball in space last season.
Joe could argue (perhaps unsuccessfully) White was as valuable as Jamel Dean. However, the Bucs replaced White with a quality player in free agency. That hasn’t been the case with Dean. Maybe they’ll go there early in Thursday’s draft.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
When Rachaad White was in the game
You will see Bucky Irving on the sidelines pouting
For some strange reason, they didn’t care for Rachaad White
When Bucky was out, they went to Tucker more instead of White
The Bucs made stupid decisions last year, they constantly played the wrong players
April 18th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
White couldn’t stomach the idea of another year of Baker, so he left the team, the same way future HOF’ers David and Evans did.
I kid, I kid.
Or do I?
Anywho, White IS a better overall player than Gainwell, in particular as an exceptional blocking RB who more than once saved Baker’s life after Otton, or whatever tackle of the week left a defensive lineman blow past them. In that regard, he’s going to be way more missed than people think. Also White was an exceptional receiver, and he was a good runner when he wasn’t stuck in an ultra predictable scheme.
But a big part of White’s lack of production last year was related to the above. With so many injuries on the offensive line, he was asked to stay in and keep Baker from ending up on IR – and he did so. But that also mean the team was using him a lot less in the passing game, where he excelled.
White does need to be in certain schemes to do well in the running game, he’s not Bucky, he’s not a quick twitch guy, he’s a patient runner who waits for holes to develop, and does a good job of picking up yards – but that patience can also get him in trouble when moronic coaches demand he play the role of Michael Pittman and just run at full speed into the back of his offensive lineman. So with the Redskins, I’m not sure how they’ll use him, but if they’re smart, they’ll have him at the very least playing protector for their injured QB.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
Rachael was def a good blocker, Bucky and Tucker are better pure runners imho. Gainwell is just as good if not better as a receiver than White. RB is the farthest from our problems. Get a solid G in the first few rounds. Get the trenches fortified, and we are fine.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Agree. He was underutilized. But at least we got a great replacement. Just as good or better. Would’ve like to keep White though.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
Biggest disappointment was the offensive coordinator. No imagination. Very poor in red zone. Also terrible special teams except for field goals
April 18th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
Skip Peete decided who’s in or out on a particular play so that is who he should have his beef with but Peete seems to have his own agenda.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:50 pm
Gotta agree with White on this one but also because he had to stay and protect Bakers Bacon he seems to have gotten the Devin White Disease of “Look what they did to me”. It sounds selfish and am a bit surprised coming from him but, MEH.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:54 pm
Gainwell is a *better* pass blocker than White. He’s also faster, shiftier, and an even better receiver. There isn’t anything White is better than Gainwell at except maybe straight ahead power and that’s debatable since Gainwell is built like a truck. Very dense and strong for his size.
April 18th, 2026 at 4:36 pm
White was terrible. Another wasted pick. Cya cuz
April 18th, 2026 at 4:36 pm
White was a great receiving back but underutilized in that capacity last season. But, not great vision for running lanes in my opinion. I still think Tucker is the best rb on the team and his talent is wasted.
April 18th, 2026 at 4:37 pm
@RodMunch Are you going to be ok if the one Joe is correct and they give Baker a big boy contract? I just don’t want to hear that your head exploded if that happened or your heart doing the same thing. After the article is written what will you post about it? Are you good with the Bucs giving Baker a good contract.
April 18th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
White is totally correct and you can’t blame him for leaving. Forwhatever reason the Bucs seemed content with letting him go. If they valued him their would have been talks with him. So forwhatever reason the Bucs were not interested. Is Gainwell a better overall back. I guess we will see the Bucs definately paying him more. I will say this White was the best back on the Bucs last year and the stats prove it. I am sad to see White go. With that said yes the Bucs currently have a lot of others players, who really are not starters that I wish they would have let go instead of White. Yes some big personnel issues exist. White may be going to a better place
April 18th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Runningwise, over the past couple years, I thought the Bucs were best served with both White and Tucker in the game. The powers-that-be preferred both of them on the bench. Gainwell had good stats in one year as Rodgers’ safety valve and deserves a chance. But if Tucker is stuck on the sidelines another year, he’ll be gone as a well-rested 25-year-old. Bucky and Gainwell can’t both be happy sharing the spot as part-timers, even if injuries don’t get them. As for White, he’s been a good soldier, and I hope he earns all his incentives.
April 18th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
I’ve got to agree with White; he was under utilized and under appreciated, at least for last season. The year prior, Bucky deservedly won the job and clearly was better.
But in 2025, Rashaad was the better player, and was relegated to the bench. He is one of the best in the NFL at catching passes out of the backfield, and yet was rarely used in that way last season. It made ZERO sense. I understand why he raced out of Tampa after the season.
April 18th, 2026 at 5:43 pm
White wasn’t buried with FA offers so I’ll take a wait and see view with him. He sounds like he has confidence in himself so that’s good. However Washington is a top landing spot for Love.
April 18th, 2026 at 6:11 pm
Miller5252,
Many of us are perfectly OK if Munch’s “head explodes” when Baker signs his big new contract. In fact, I would prefer it. Munch poses as some sort of football analyst when he is really just a whiney fraud who as a mediocre clarinet player in his high school marching band. Here is how I know. People that actually competed in sports are generally respectful to their fellow competitors. The complainers are guys who could never cut it in the arena. All real athletes know it.