Looking ahead to 2024, there is one aspect of the Bucs’ offense in dire need of improvement.

Running the football.

Tampa Bay has not had a 1,000-yard running back since Doug Martin way back in 2015, and in the years since then, the team has finished 24th, 27th, 29th, 24th, 29th, 26th, 32nd (dead last) and 32nd (dead last again).

It has not been without a handful of running backs and coaches trying to fix what has long been broken, but brighter times lie ahead.

Once again, it is Rachaad White leading the attack, but this year, he has some help to pair with a new offensive scheme determined to establish a revamped run game.

Rachaad White Is Bracing For A Hefty Workload, But He Has Some Help

Bucs RB Rachaad White and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Rachaad White had quite the workload for the Bucs last season, with 272 carries for 990 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground, and 64 receptions for 549 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Those 272 carries were tied with 49ers’ running back Christian McCaffery for second-most in the league, while his 64 receptions were just behind McCaffery’s 67 for fourth-most.

While White had stretches of effectiveness, there were also times when it was evident he could have used more of a breather. 336 total offensive touches do that, and each one begins to take a toll at that amount, leading to more fatigue and less efficient runs.

That is largely why the Bucs decided to draft Bucky Irving in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft and decided to re-sign veteran Chase Edmonds. They will help alleviate that some, which will help keep him spry throughout the long 17-game regular season.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

“It would help out a lot,” White said. “I wouldn’t say that it’s not – I’ll be out here sometimes where I feel like I’m dragging. I talk to Chase [Edmonds]… still my guy, and he’ll be like ‘No, bro you’re not dragging. [You’re] fine.’ I’ll be making excuses like ‘Yeah, [those] 300 touches are catching up to me. I’m getting old, I’m this,’ and Chase will be like, ‘Stop it, bro. I’m in year seven bro. [You’re] not old at all, like you’re not getting old.’ We just joke around [and] play like that.”

While White will appreciate getting some respite, that does not mean he wants to be forgotten about when discussing the top running backs in the league. He understands that reputation comes with a lot of volume.

“To have them back there, [Chase Edmonds] and Bucky [Irving], and for them to be able to spare me, of course, is key,” White added. “When you set goals and you want to have the stats that you want to have, and when you want to get in the conversations that – because I peep everything – when you want to get into conversations of, you know, being one of the best [running] backs in the league, it’s going [to] come with like 300 touches, though, at the end of the day. You just brace your body as much as possible but you for sure have to have guys behind you that rally behind you and [are] able to spell you in key moments.”

Rachaad White Is A Balanced RB Who Can Do A Bit Of Everything For Bucs

Rachaad White did not have the most efficient season last year, but that did not stop him from being productive as a running back who can do a little bit of everything. White doesn’t mind that responsibility, and it has helped him see the field early and often in his NFL career.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

“Yeah, you have to be able to do everything to be today’s every-down back, to be today’s what you call – bell-cow back,” White said. “A lot of guys try to pride themselves on being able to not have their coach take them off the field for not being able to do [something].”

After starting to contribute as a rookie and increasing his role greatly last season, White showed that he can be a versatile running back who can fit in different offensive schemes.

With new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen implementing a more cohesive, modernized offense that should be an upgrade, there are plenty of reasons to believe that White and the other running backs behind him can be successful.

Being balanced is more than just having the ability to run and catch the football, though.

It takes having a blend of power and finesse while doing it.

“I like my game to be balanced, so when I need to be [powerful], I’ll be [powerful],” White added. “When I need to be swift and smooth, I’ll be smooth. I would say I’m a bigger [running] back than a lot of people are accustomed to, so it’s just difference. You have to know when to be power and when to be smooth and swift and be able to get in and out of things.”