Jason Licht Won’t Close The Door (Yet) On Rachaad White Return
February 27th, 2026
Bucs open to a return.
Joe thought surely running back Rachaad White had played his last snap for the Bucs. The guy who runs the football operations at One Buc Palace didn’t agree.
When Licht appeared on the “Ira Kaufman Podcast” from the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, the beehive of the combine, Joe mentioned to Licht that White “kicked over the kitty litter box on his way out the door.”
Though Licht didn’t disagree with that White’s exit after the Bucs were eliminated from postseason play was messy, he does not agree that the Bucs have locked the door from which White bolted out of One Buc Palace.
“Who knows what happens with Rachaad?” Licht said. “We have a lot of respect for Rachaad. Over the years he has been a very good player for us, as has Sean Tucker.
“There is potential to keep one of those players or both of those players. I wouldn’t rule anything out.”
Joe looked back on White’s angry departure and realized that one guy he may have had a beef with, former Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, is out.
Joe thinks it is fair to say Grizzard did not use White correctly. White’s bread and butter play was catching passes outside the hashmarks. How often did you see those types of plays called for White last year? Very few.
So maybe the Bucs have confidence Grizzard’s successor, Zac Robinson, would use White correctly? Perhaps Robinson asked Licht to try to bring back White?
Joe gets what Licht is suggesting. There is now a different offensive dynamic with the Bucs. So perhaps White may look at the team through a different prism and conclude he may be best off in Tampa afterall?
February 27th, 2026 at 7:07 am
Maybe nobody wants ex-Bucs. The Curse of Bowzo stigma.
February 27th, 2026 at 7:18 am
“There is now a different offensive dynamic with the Bucs. So perhaps White may look at the team through a different prism and conclude he may be best off in Tampa afterall?”
This would be one less knot to untie putting this 2026 roster back together. Still, knowing it’s “this” time of year, Licht could be blowing smoke.
February 27th, 2026 at 7:30 am
Don’t think Grizz was the only one White had beef with. He mentioned the “we’ll ride the hot hand” comment being a lie, but both Bowles & Grizz used that repeatedly last year. Bowles said it often in ’24 as well, so thinking that’s relevant. Couple that with his comments that being a HC/DC was too much for Todd (he was right on both issues btw lol), and have a hard time seeing him return, which is cool & understandable. Would like to see Tucker back though.
February 27th, 2026 at 7:30 am
Let him walk. Could be a locker room cancer.
February 27th, 2026 at 7:35 am
Grover, that “curse” talk is just lazy.
Players leave every team every year — that’s the business. If there were some stigma, other franchises wouldn’t keep signing former Bucs or looking at their staff.
Criticize coaching if you want, but inventing a curse just sounds bitter, not factual.
February 27th, 2026 at 7:40 am
He wants to play with his college buddy, QB of Redskins (whose name eludes me at present)
February 27th, 2026 at 7:41 am
Jayden Daniels
February 27th, 2026 at 7:51 am
I would love to have white back. It would be hard to replace him, especially his production, catching the ball out of the backfield.
February 27th, 2026 at 8:01 am
This franchise and half the fanbase just swim in constant denial- the owners are not good, the GM may be but is at the mercy of the owners, Bowles is awful, and since half the fanbase can’t see it I’m going to start being more explicit- he is arrogant, stubborn, condescending, and has 0 self-awareness or real accountability- those aren’t just coaching flaws – them hiring his son as a nepo move in the face of clear fan outrage should turn everyone’s stomachs. Licht has 0 poker face and next season this team will sink further if they don’t miraculously stumble into a successful offseason like 2020 when Brady gifted them clarity and insight. Oh and White is gone, as are Cade and Mike (hence his insta post). They know this team is doomed by Mr 3rd and 28
February 27th, 2026 at 8:08 am
At least everybody here wasn’t gullible enough to believe everything Licht said. Give me a break we all saw his plans the day the season ended. If Licht wants him he doesn’t want you. Why would you even try to pretend after the interview he gave about Bowles
February 27th, 2026 at 8:11 am
Hes a delusional GM. White doesnt want to return and shouldn’t for the health of his career. I like Allegier better and hes probably cheaper.
February 27th, 2026 at 8:12 am
Definately love to see White back. He was definately the best back on the team last year. However, did not get rewarded for it. That hurt both the Bucs and White. He is correct Bowles did say they would ride the hot hand, yet that did not happen. I can’t say I blame him for being frustrated. However, their is a new coordinator in town and Bowles I think would prefer not to be involved much with the offense. Hopefully things can be mended because White is a big addition to the team whem used properly
February 27th, 2026 at 8:16 am
Redzone, you are correct. The Glazers are meh owners. They certainly dont know football. They and JL are responsible for that ridiculous extension, which is why Todd is still here.
I also feel like the Glazers are back to being cheap.
February 27th, 2026 at 8:34 am
Close the door. Change to locks.
February 27th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Big checks tend to heal hurt feelings
February 27th, 2026 at 8:36 am
Like many of you noted on here, White was underutilized with Grizzard’s playcalling, some of which was by necessity with the Oline injuries early on, he couldn’t chip in pass protection as much and had stay with the block. Then we had an opportunity to showcase as an RB1 when Bucky went out, Grizzard didn’t call his number enough.
I will go as far as to say, if money were the same, I’d keep White vs going after Allgier. I just think fans forget how good White was under Coen, both as a runner and pass catcher. He set everything up for Bucky that season. If White could find that form under Zac Robinson, this offense will be just fine.
February 27th, 2026 at 8:38 am
I’ve been excited about Zach Robinson coming to the Bucs. BUT, his report card from the Atlanta players have him graded at C- . Joe needs to find out what happened in Atlanta with Zac.
February 27th, 2026 at 8:39 am
I’d be totally cool with keeping (or bringing back) White. I loved when we threw him the ball on the swing and screen passes. He can be a very dangerous weapon and would help us a lot. Save the draft pick for someone bigger on the DL. In fact, trade Buster Kancey and use that pick to move up and get Caleb Banks who is huge.
February 27th, 2026 at 8:40 am
I live in ATL. Ill tell you what happened, Penix cant get under center so lots of shotgun and pistol. ATL is not sold on him, nor should they. Bad knees..
February 27th, 2026 at 8:52 am
Fours players if I’m the GM I keep. Evans. David. Otton. White. Of course I would add to TE , LB ,Rb. Groups.
White has been healthy and don’t give up Same with otton. David’s leadership is too good to pass up with rookies /new LB. And Evans a monster.
February 27th, 2026 at 9:03 am
“I just think fans forget how good White was under Coen, both as a runner and pass catcher. He set everything up for Bucky that season.”
THIS!!!
February 27th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Hell, he was their best most productive player on offense during the second half of the season.
February 27th, 2026 at 9:32 am
White thinks he’s going to get a huge paycheck and lots of carries with another team. I’m not so sure. White’s beef is really with Grizz and not getting more carries when Bucky was playing hurt. Grizz is gone but it’s too late for White to come back.
White likes to talk and he didn’t sound good after the season. No way I want him back.
February 27th, 2026 at 9:39 am
*Bucnbeers….I think I have to agree. He may have been a significant problem in the lockeroom…sure has a lot to say now that is for sure…move on without him
February 27th, 2026 at 9:44 am
Redzone Says:
February 27th, 2026 at 8:01 am
This franchise and half the fanbase just swim in constant denial- the owners are not good, the GM may be but is at the mercy of the owners, Bowles is awful, and since half the fanbase can’t see it I’m going to start being more explicit- he is arrogant, stubborn, condescending, and has 0 self-awareness or real accountability- those aren’t just coaching flaws – them hiring his son as a nepo move in the face of clear fan outrage should turn everyone’s stomachs. Licht has 0 poker face and next season this team will sink further if they don’t miraculously stumble into a successful offseason like 2020 when Brady gifted them clarity and insight. Oh and White is gone, as are Cade and Mike (hence his insta post). They know this team is doomed by Mr 3rd and 28
———
Agree with you 100%
February 27th, 2026 at 9:48 am
I think it’s safe to say we all know what the Bucs have in White as a player at this point. He is better than average in all phases of his game for sure and has improved on hitting his holes and lanes but I’m not for giving RBs a second contract even if he was a perennial All-Pro(just too pricey.). White is a solid RB with high mileage. White is worth market value but the Bucs are paying their OL and WRs so much of the cap that the Bucs almost must roll with Irving, Tucker and Josh Williams who is on a futures contract. Williams looked comparable to White and Tucker in the preseason.
If FA dollars are spent on RB beyond Tucker let them be for AJ Dillon. He has more upside, offers size few teams have and has a lot more tread left on his tires than White.
There are too many deficits on defense to go burning a draft pick on the next Keyshawn Vaughn.
White openly suggesting hiring a DC to call plays isn’t gross insubordination. It’s part of the dynamics of healthy accountability within an organization. The Bucs added the clock management voice and the saber metrics voice that chime in in a timely fashion so Bowles can focus and avoid head set chatter that precipitated game-losing gaffes right? In-game management did improve in 2025 so not all is lost but defensive results were worse. So this year’s reason everything will be better is we have green Grizzard out of his ear? It’s implementation and execution that are the issues not the scheme design. It’s seems play calls are perceived as questionable internally as well? I don’t claim to know what all the problems are but if it’s all about winning do the ego work it takes to hire a DC in the name of eradicating the problem patterns on the defensive side of the ball.
Bowles is a good coach and defensive mind but not so good that he can be head coach and defensive coordinator with whatever scraps are left over after the luxury OL and WR rooms are paid. As long as there is enough draft capital and cap money left that he has his expensive boutique DBs he’ll make up the difference? No. He overestimates his abilities and the Glazers and Licht expected too much of him but I think all this can be worked out without demolition. The addition of a DC would get that done lickety split. It might blow out the eff-this attitude that infected last season’s team. No hot names want the job because they can’t do their thing but they’ll be forever accountable- okay. Let it be a puppet like Leftwich that he overrides constantly. It’s been failing the same ways for too long not to do the obvious right thing. The guy doesn’t have to be a genius or even change much. He can just coordinate Bowles’ clumsy defense.
February 27th, 2026 at 9:48 am
White is our most proven, complete, and pro style back imo
February 27th, 2026 at 10:33 am
Only Tucker has true breakaway speed that will reward an offensive line for perfect blocking with a TD- not getting chased down from behind.