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.