Buccaneers suddenly have a position battle nobody saw coming

For much of the offseason, it was a foregone conclusion that Bucky Irving, Kenny, Gainwell, and Sean Tucker would be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ top three running backs. 

The preseason would provide an opportunity for one more running back to make a case for a fourth roster spot, with Josh Williams emerging as the favorite.

Suddenly, though, Tucker doesn’t seem as locked in as the RB3 as fans once thought. Williams took over as the second primary running back against the Chiefs and made the most of his opportunity. An under-the-radar completion could be unfolding between Williams and Tucker. 

Josh Williams could surpass Sean Tucker in Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ running back room 

Throughout last night’s broadcast, Rondé Barber continuously hinted at a potential battle for the RB3 spot between Williams and Tucker.

Todd Bowles was asked about it during his press conference on Saturday, and he downplayed the significance of Williams and Tucker being swapped in the pecking order. 

“[Williams] had a good game last week and we wanted to see him against better guys so we wanted to put him out there early. It didn’t mean nothing as far as them flip-flopping but we wanted to see him earlier,” Bowles said. 

In the preseason opener against the Jets last week, Williams led the Bucs with 27 rushing yards and a touchdown at 3.4 yards per carry.

This week, Williams had just two carries for nine yards, but he also made an impact in the receiving game with two catches for 22 yards. Meanwhile, Tucker had 23 yards on five carries and scored the go-ahead touchdown.

Williams was also impressive during last year's preseason and earned a spot on the practice squad before ultimately being suspended six games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy. The team has given him another chance, and he’s taking advantage. 

Based on Bowles’ comments, which framed Williams’ early playing time as an opportunity to see him against stiffer competition rather than a meaningful battle for the third running back spot, Tucker likely still holds the edge. 

He’s been largely pedestrian during the regular season, but Tucker seems to be good for a breakout game each year. Last season against Buffalo, Tucker rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns, while adding a third touchdown through the air. 

In 2024, in a featured role against the Saints, Tucker rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown while adding 56 receiving yards and another touchdown. 

Though it’s only come in small doses, Tucker has shown the capability to be effective in the regular season and even lead the backfield on occasion. Williams, on the other hand, has very little regular-season experience.

Still, the team clearly likes what they have in Williams, and the Buccaneers were intrigued enough to challenge him against better players in the preseason. There’s a real possibility the Buccaneers keep four running backs this year, or they could stash Williams on the practice squad again with a chance to be elevated. 

For now, Tucker remains the favorite for the RB3 job, but Williams has made this a much more interesting competition than anyone expected entering the preseason.

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