Tristan Wirfs: Rachaad White Is “Selfless” And Valuable
October 18th, 2025
Bucs RB Rachaad White not just a runner.
Rachaad White may no longer be the Bucs’ No. 1 running back with the emergence of Bucky Irving. But don’t try to tell left tackle Tristan Wirfs that White is not valuable.
White might be running his best since the Bucs drafted him in 2022. But it is the little things that often go unnoticed, where White has demonstrated his value.
Wirfs wants the world to know White’s teammates sure know how important he is.
“Rachaad has been here awhile now,” Wirfs said. “We all know how important — how big – he is to this team.
“I think I said it last week, I cannot remember how many times he has iced the game [with] a slide [or] breaks a big run.”
Two weeks ago the Bucs were knotted up with the Seahawks at 35-35 in the final minute, with the game tied 35-35. It appeared White was about to turn the corner on Seattle defender Nehemiah Pritchett. There was nothing but green grass between White and the goal line had he made that turn.
Instead, White slid down. He didn’t want to score and give Seattle plenty of time to mount a game-winning drive. Better to let the Bucs bleed the final 38 seconds and kick a field goal to win.
“He does the selfless thing and slides down, but in pass protection, Rachaad puts his nose in there,” Wirfs said. “He pops guys, and it is really cool to see — really fun for us as offensive linemen when he comes off the edge and chips some guys, that is always fun — helping us out a little bit.”
White is in a contract year and over the summer he had a social media post that seemed like he has plans to play elsewhere once the season is over — where he can get more touches. Joe can’t fault a guy for leaving to get more snaps and perhaps get paid.
The Bucs have key players that are going to need to be paid (including Baker Mayfield not far down the road) and there may not be enough Team Glazer loot to keep a strong RB2.
Wirfs sure hopes it doesn’t come to that. “Rachaad is awesome; he is a great teammate, great player, and we are so blessed to have him.”
October 18th, 2025 at 12:50 am
Special group Jason has pulled together. Todd’s strength is his HR skills. Let’s play some consistent defense, if Bucs do that in Detroit, their chances are reasonable.
October 18th, 2025 at 1:08 am
He’s def a keeper, and has proved it! Jason? whats up dude? is he asking too much or something?
October 18th, 2025 at 1:09 am
and Maxx Crosby please
October 18th, 2025 at 1:25 am
White, Bake, and Otton will want new contracts. Enough money to go around?
October 18th, 2025 at 1:32 am
Let’s roll back to the overall fan opinion this time last year. Everyone was down on White and begging for Bucky. Didn’t take long to learn that Bucky is not a bellcow back. He’s a fantastic talent, but many on here were ready to throw White to the curb and Rachaad has just gotten better. Just like he’s done every year he’s been here. He is, imo, the ideal NFL every down RB.
October 18th, 2025 at 2:43 am
Not me BigPop, ive always been a supporter of Rachaad…i saw the little things, especially his blocking, love his size and ability…..but im with you, there were some others ready to give up. Thats why im saying re-sign him now.
October 18th, 2025 at 2:49 am
I was definitely ready to get rid of White, and I was wrong.
October 18th, 2025 at 3:15 am
I have never considered Bucky as a bell-cow. There are very few true “bell-cows” in today’s NFL. Hell, even in college. You gotta be ‘built’ a certain way, to take-on that type of punishment. These defenses and players now, are just too big, too strong, too fast, and too good. Playing so many games on these ‘synthetic-turf’ playing surfaces can really take it’s toll, too!
October 18th, 2025 at 3:28 am
Uh…
White IS the number #1 running back on the team. Admittedly he might have to give up that spot when a fella named “Bucky” comes back and re challenges for the top spot. Until then…
Availability is The Only ability “that counts” in football.. In fact, that goes for Most Things in life.
They Should Try Hard to keep him around for years to come. He IS after all one of the two in our 1/2 Land Roving Punch. And HE is the BEST Blocking running back we have. Hard to replace in just one season of a learning rookie… Just ask Bucky.
October 18th, 2025 at 5:47 am
Rachaad has stepped up. This is his breakout year and am so glad to see it happening!
October 18th, 2025 at 6:03 am
he had his chances. even with the same Oline as bucky he got beat out. face the facts, he’ll be gone, bucky is the better back by far.
October 18th, 2025 at 6:10 am
White is an incredible backup running back. I believe he’s on the lower end of starting backs. Even with the improvement of the line, you can still see his change of direction is forced not fluid. His blocking is fantastic and his receiving skills are up there as well. I hope the Bucs can convince him to stay but if he gets an offer to be a starter then I certainly can’t blame him for taking starter’s pay.
October 18th, 2025 at 6:25 am
his talent is his versatility and knack for making clutch plays in the moment not break out 75 yard backwards ninja jumping hurdles, he’s so much more than just an rb he’s a te and a wr also
October 18th, 2025 at 6:37 am
The question, is white better than any of the other 31 starting running backs in the league… Including those that come out in next year’s draft… If not… He won’t start… And will be in the same backfield by committee boat.
For all that just stay.
October 18th, 2025 at 6:52 am
Theirs is no doubt you need 2 starting running backs. It’s a long season with the running backs taking a lot of punishments. Bucky is a bonified stud but like some have said he’s no bell cow. I’ve said it before it’s a tough line to walk because Bucky produces so you naturally want to keep feeding him. He isn’t built like a bell cow and that’s not a knock on him. Gunna need to find the coins in the glazers couches and car seats to sign white. We need him.
October 18th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Ok…time for Lt Dan to eat crow. I really wanted to trade White based on what I saw through his first two years – receiving ability be damned. I have come around. White is a very important part of this offense and I hope he gets resigned, sooner rather than later.
October 18th, 2025 at 7:50 am
Too many times folks get caught up in #1 or #2 backs, receivers, whatever. It takes the entire roster for the team to flourish, this years team has shown that to everyone. A starter is just the guy that starts the game, mostly at the RB spot. But the entire team, except for a few positions gets rotated in and out of the game at some point. White show’s, and the rest of the team does too, what quality depth is. It’s critical to the success of the team. I believe the Buc’s have sown that mentality into the players. I think they understand that there is only so much money to go around and to be content and excited to be on a winning team that hopefully can produce multiple Championships in the next year.
October 18th, 2025 at 7:50 am
Years
October 18th, 2025 at 8:46 am
Transition tag?
October 18th, 2025 at 9:05 am
You can see that Rachaad is not the same running back as he was last year and the years before that. He is much quicker and has stopped dancing around at the los so he’s hitting those holes a lot faster. You can say the line is better but that wouldn’t be true. This year’s line can be as good as last year but so far is not because of injuries and yet Rachaad is playing his best ball. He is motivated by the fact this is a contract year for him but he deserves all the credit for responding to the criticism of his running style in years past and changing his body to enable him to improve immensely. Plus he’s another one of those high character guys which Jason loves. We need him going forward.
October 18th, 2025 at 9:09 am
BTW Joe has pointed out many times the difference in the way Rachaad looks and how he is playing this year. In particular he has pointed out how much quicker he is now.
October 18th, 2025 at 10:08 am
he’s our starter from here on out
October 18th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
The best example where he’s improved just SO MUCH was during their opening drive last week versus San Fran. They of course predictably run him up the gut on that 3 & 1, and it was of course predictably STUFFED. During his first TWO seasons he would’ve pitter-pattered, and then ran right straight into the WALL. Not Anymore. He saw-it and immediately bounced-it outside for a 1st-Down. That NEVER happened until Coen and Bucky arrived.
October 18th, 2025 at 1:25 pm
Being a 25-30 carry bell cow back ensures your career is over after 5 years or so. Being a 1B type back with 10-15 carries, 3-4 pass receptions, will double the length of your career
October 18th, 2025 at 1:55 pm
Go Bucs!!!
October 18th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
White supporter since he came here as a rookie. He’s versatile and much more valuable than Bucky. Get Bucky well and line him up with White in the backfield. I hope Grizzard gets it. Bowles sure does. GO BUCS!!