Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White caused a bit of a stir recently thanks to a controversial social media post. It wasn't anything out-of-bounds in terms of being inappropriate; instead, it stoked coals about his future -- or lack thereof -- with the Bucs.
At the end of last month, White posted a picture of himself at practice with Baker Mayfield with the caption 'One last ride', which isn't really that hard to read into. He's entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the rise of Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker seems to suggest that he doesn't have the same place on the roster he did before last season.
That's not for a lack of talent, though. White would be a top free agent if his hits the market, and he has a full season ahead of him to strengthen his stock. It's a rare win-win situation, as both White and the Bucs stand to benefit from a big season and it truly does feel like a Last Dance of sorts.
At least, that's where everyone's mind went when he posted to his Instagram. White was asked about the message while speaking with the media at minicamp this week and set the record straight.
Rachaad White explains his 'One Last Ride' social media post
"I was just vibing to some country music," White explained. "I was in the country mode, I had the cowboy hat on. Some people saw my post from my camp. I had a cowboy hat on, I was just vibing, that's what it was."
That seems like a perfectly legit answer, but it's still hard not to read into the context. The fact of the matter is White might not have a place in Tampa Bay's future, even if he's a supremely talented running back.
It could come down to the Bucs simply being unable to pay him what he's worth, or what he'd get on the open market. Saquon Barkley's historic season has sort of reset the balance on running back contracts, and White would be hitting free agency at a perfect time.
Unlike a similar situation with Devin White a few years ago, it appears Rachaad is ready to give this season his all and hope that everyone parts ways at the end of the year as amicably as possible.
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