Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles Shares High Praise for Rachaad White

The Buccaneers have been complimentary of running back Rachaad White this season.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Over the course of the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continually improved and found more and more of an identity. On their way to a 9-8 and NFC South victory finish, Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans led the offense. When those two didn’t have it going, though, running back Rachaad White was able to shoulder the load and make big-time plays.

White finished the season – his first as the Buccaneers’ starting running back – with 990 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 272 attempts. He certainly cemented his case to remain the team’s RB1 heading into the 2024 NFL season. 

This offseason, White has continued to receive praise from people within the franchise. Most recently, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles was incredibly complimentary of the team’s starting running back.

“I thought Rachaad matured because he really got ahold of the offense and understood what we were expecting of him in that aspect, so he started playing faster because he was playing smarter,” Bowles explained at the NFL's league meeting in Orlando. “He knew where the cutback lanes were going to be before they opened up. Early in the season, he was waiting to see, and it was slowing him down.”

As a team, the Buccaneers improved week after week, playing their best football in the final stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs. The same went for White, who continually improved on the season and showed more and more as a playmaker. 

White’s impact on the field wasn’t entirely in the rushing game, though. He was able to provide a solid impact as a receiver, catching 64 of his 70 targets for 579 receiving yards and an additional three touchdowns.

“In the passing game, [White has] always been an asset and we probably haven’t used him as much. If you can get him in open space he’s a very good route runner, he’s very elusive out in the open field and he has outstanding hands. He’s really worked on his pass-block. He became a very good all-around football player,” Bowles continued. “There’s not too many of them in the league like that right now.”

For White to be able to be utilized in many facets of the game makes him playable no matter the scenario, making him an incredible RB1 for the Buccaneers. He’ll play an integral role in the team’s offense in the upcoming season.