Rachaad White is entering a contract-ending year in his young but impactful career. This season will determine whether he becomes a household name among NFL fans or fades into obscurity as another NFL has-been.
With rookie phenom Bucky Irving competing for the RB1 role and a star-studded Bucs offense around him, 2025 is White’s chance to prove his value to an NFL roster for 2026.
So, what can White do amongst this talented Bucs offense in 2025 to showcase his ability? In today’s NFL, a running back who also excels as a receiver can ignite an offense—and White has that spark.
As a proven talent at the running back position, White has emerged as a key pillar of the Bucs’ offense with skills that extend beyond the ground game. He has solidified his place in the NFL, accumulating 2,084 rushing yards and a steady 10 rushing touchdowns across his three seasons with the team. Through the air, he’s been equally impressive, with 165 receptions for 1,232 yards and an additional 10 touchdowns in his short tenure in the NFL.
Rachaad White's receiving prowess will greatly impact the Buccaneers' 2025 campaign
White has demonstrated his ability to significantly impact NFL offenses. In games where he records four or more receptions, the Bucs average an impressive 30 points. The team wins 40% of their games when White catches a touchdown. In the 2024 season alone, he racked up six receiving touchdowns, delivering unique contributions, like in the Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, where he posted 71 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
White began his career sharing the backfield with Tom Brady in 2022. However, despite his strong rushing stats, his role as the primary running back has been overshadowed by the rise of Bucky Irving in 2024. As Irving continues to carve out his own space, White’s opportunities could continue to dwindle, unless he capitalizes on his receiving skills to distinguish himself.
For the team’s success and White’s individual growth, it’s critical that the offensive scheme prioritizes designed catch plays for him. As Brianna Dix notes in her January 17, 2025, article “2025 State of the Bucs: Running Back” on the Buccaneers’ official website, “White is a proficient pass-catching back, making an impact for the Bucs’ offense off checkdowns and routes in the short-to-intermediate area.”
White isn’t just another ground-and-pound running back, his ability to gain yards and score through the air makes him a weapon defenses can’t overlook. When he’s involved as a receiver, the offense thrives—averaging 30 points per game and securing a 40% win rate when he catches a touchdown. On a playoff roster, that’s the kind of skillset that shines in January.
In 2025, new Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard must design plays to get White the ball in space. If the Bucs aim to win late in the season, White is their light, and his contract year could brighten the path to a deep playoff run.