With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2025 season coming to a close, Rachaad White is an impending free agent, and it sure looks like he’ll be wearing a new uniform next season.
White hasn't been shy about this reality. In fact, he hinted at his departure before the season even started.
But now, he’s all but confirmed that he’s leaving in the offseason. After the Atlanta Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints to eliminate the Bucs from playoff contention, White took to social media to seemingly say goodbye and express his gratitude for Tampa Bay.
Damn 😢💔 I’m forever grateful 🙏🏾💯
— Rachaad White 1️⃣ (@Chaad_1) January 4, 2026
“Damn 😢💔 I’m forever grateful 🙏🏾💯,” White shared on X at the conclusion of the Falcons-Saints game.
He further fueled the speculation via his Instagram not long after.
It would appear Rachaad White, who is a free agent, will be looking for a new home based on his post. pic.twitter.com/1SY4hBFgTk
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) January 4, 2026
“Uno out. Thank yaw forever for da past 4 years,” White wrote on with a picture of him inside the Bucs locker room.
White wasn’t very cryptic with his message. “Uno out,” is a straight-up goodbye message to Tampa Bay and a confirmation of his plans to depart as a free agent.
For White, the move makes sense. He has displayed all the talent required to be a workhorse running back in the NFL. He’s an elite pass blocker and receiving back, and he led all Bucs running backs with 4.3 yards per carry this season. Whenever he’s been given the opportunity, he’s taken full advantage.
The Bucs would have loved to keep him, but there will almost certainly be a team willing to offer White a hefty payday and the opportunity to lead a backfield that he never fully had in Tampa Bay.
3 best fits for Rachaad White in free agency
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are the fit people cannot stop talking about for White. If he had it his way, Washington would likely be the dream destination due to his strong relationship with Jayden Daniels, his former college teammate at Arizona State. Heck, White's profile picture on Instagram is a picture of him and Daniels together.
White would face competition from Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr., a duo that was efficient for Washington this season. Still, White would enter the backfield as the most complete and proven option, offering a combination of pass-catching, pass-blocking and overall NFL production that separates him from the rest of the group.
Washington lacks a true receiving threat out of the backfield, a role White has already established himself in as one of the league’s most reliable receiving backs. His skill set would give the Commanders an immediate upgrade and unlock a new dimension on offense.
New Orleans Saints
Bucs fans would hate to see this come to fruition, but the fit is simply too good to ignore. The running back that White has most often been compared to throughout his career is Alvin Kamara. Both finished in the top 10 in receptions among running backs in 2024 and both ranked in the top five in 2023.
Neither has ever rushed for 1,000 yards in a season, but both have come close. White rushed for 990 yards in 2023, while Kamara ran for 950 yards in 2024.
Kamara has one year left on his contract and turns 31 this summer. Availability could become a concern with age, as he missed the final six games of 2025
At just 26 years old, White could be an ideal replacement as the Saints prepare for life after Kamara. He offers a similar skill set but with more gas left in the tank, and a multi-year deal would allow the two to share the backfield in 2026 before White potentially takes over full time in 2027 and beyond.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have not been shy about their desire to upgrade the running back room. They pursued Jets running back Breece Hall at the trade deadline but were unable to complete a deal.
Kansas City’s two lead backs, Kareem Hunt and Isaiah Pacheco, are both headed for free agency. White outperformed both in yards per carry, and when his receiving and pass-blocking ability are factored in, it is hard to argue he would be a significant upgrade to their backfield.
The chance to play alongside Patrick Mahomes could also be difficult for White to pass up if they make him an offer in free agency.