Former Buccaneers RB offers honest thoughts on Bucky Irving partnership originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense is stacked, which makes it even more surprising that the franchise missed the playoffs in 2025.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut one downside to having a stacked offense is that there is only one ball. So, on any given week, a player can be left out completely.
For running backs, it is even tougher. The receivers all need their targets, which leaves precious carries to the back. But with Rachaad White and Bucky Irving both needing touches, it was hard to get both the ideal number of carries.
With Bucky taking over the RB1 role, some thought a problem could be brewing between Irving and White.
But appearing on the Loose Cannons podcast, White squashed those rumors.
"I'm just gonna be honest, obviously, how I'm advocating for him is too, because I'm rooting for Buck," White said. "Regardless of what people want to say, oh, they don't like each other, he's mad at Buck because this. Nah, I really want Bucky to be great and have a great career, just to be honest with you."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIrving undisputed RB1 in 2026
While Bucky made that sort of transition in 2025, he was injured for a portion of the season.
But if he is healthy, there is no denying who the starting back will be. Especially with White now a free agent and set to test the market.
Granted, the Bucs still have Sean Tucker, but he is a restricted free agent, so we think the Bucs will bring him back on a cheap deal.
And if you enter the 2026 season with Irving and Tucker as your backs, you are in a good spot.
White has been a good soldier for Tampa Bay, but all good things come to an end. Granted, this end has been accelerated with Bucky's emergence, but there's no denying Rachaad did his part for the organization.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd as far as those rumors, he squashed them emphatically.
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