The Tampa Bay Buccaneers headed into training camp with plenty of questions, but one unexpectedly developed over the course of the preseason.
Both safety and wide receiver were rooms that fans kept an eye on given varying circumstances, but the backfield was not on anyone’s bingo card for being more interesting than it already was. Bucky Irving had already taken over the RB1 duties, with Rachaad White dropping into a RB2 role that is more adjacent than it is a step-down, and Sean Tucker solidified his role as the third back.
The weirdness stems from how packed the room has become in the aftermath of final roster cuts. Rather than roll with a three-headed monster, which is what we all expected, the Bucs decided to increase the stable and include undrafted rookie Josh Willams.
Part of this seems like it might have something to do with the groin injury that White suffered in the preseason opener, something that held him out of game action the rest of the way. But the Bucs already had a one-two punch they could lean on in Bucky and Tucker, which makes Williams’ addition to the roster weirdly intriguing.
What does first-year offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard have up his sleeve (besides some potential Josh-related bias…just kidding)?
Buccaneers weird backfield situation could lead to a few different things
The sample size with Bucky was small, but when he was on the field we saw some interesting packages from Grizzard. Notably, Irving scored his lone touchdown of the preseason not out out the backfield but as lined up as true wide out — a formation that the Bucs ran more than once with him on the field.
That suggests that the uniqueness that both Dave Canales and Liam Coen used when they were calling the shots has once again evolved with Grizzard. It opens up the potential for Williams to get involved much in the same way we saw Ray Davis in Buffalo, where he didn’t appear to be a major player early on in the season but the way he was used on offense opened some things up.
It also begs the question of what it means for White, who is in a contract year. All indications are that the vibes are good, and both sides are motivated to have a fantastic season so that success can be had and a fat check can land in White’s lap via another team in free agency.
It behooves everyone for White to ball out, but the addition of Williams to the roster adds another mouth to feed. Coupled with the groin injury White suffered, it could be that he’s pushed even further down the food chain and the Bucs begin to develop Williams as the RB3 of the future.
All of it is a bit weird considering the stakes of this season. The Bucs can’t afford to take a step back and we’re nearing Super Bowl or bust territory with the current championship window. Ideally all four running backs ahve a positive impact and Tampa Bay’s offense is blessed with even bigger embarrassment of riches.
Tinkering with the backfield is a smart idea if it helps the team, but it’s perhaps one of the weirdest developments heading into the season.
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