Rachaad White, who has been a pivotal figure for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since being drafted in 2022, finds himself in a competitive landscape as the emergence of Bucky Irving raises questions about his position as the team’s No. 1 running back. However, left tackle Tristan Wirfs is steadfast in his belief that White’s contribution to the team cannot be overstated.
White appears to be hitting his stride this season, demonstrating considerable growth and effectiveness on the field. Despite the rise of Irving, Wirfs emphasizes the crucial role White plays in the team dynamics. “Rachaad has been here awhile now,” he noted. “We all know how important — how big – he is to this team.”
Wirfs highlighted White’s selflessness during a critical moment in a recent game against the Seattle Seahawks. As the game was tied at 35-35 near the end, White opted to slide rather than score a touchdown. This decision allowed the Buccaneers to consume the clock and secure a game-winning field goal. “He does the selfless thing and slides down, but in pass protection, Rachaad puts his nose in there,” Wirfs elaborated, underscoring White’s dual-threat capability as both a running back and a protector.
As White navigates a contract year, there have been hints of future opportunities elsewhere, suggesting he may seek out greater responsibilities and playing time. Although the Buccaneers face the challenge of managing salary cap concerns with several key players like Baker Mayfield also needing new contracts, Wirfs expresses a strong desire to keep White within the fold. “Rachaad is awesome; he is a great teammate, great player, and we are so blessed to have him,” he said.
The Buccaneers will need to weigh their options carefully as they look to maintain a strong roster going forward. With White’s talents on full display this season, the hope is that he remains a foundational piece of the team’s future success.