Rachaad White Thinks It’s Time for Todd Bowles to Hand Over the Defense - And He Might Have a Point
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to what he thinks head coach Todd Bowles should do this offseason. In a recent appearance on the Loose Cannons podcast, White suggested that Bowles would be better off stepping back from his defensive coordinator duties to focus solely on being the head coach.
“He’d probably be better off by doing that,” White said, “so he can just focus on really just the head coaching job, and just trust that he has the right defensive staff. I do think it would make his life more easier.”
That’s not just a throwaway comment from a disgruntled player. White, who appeared to bid farewell to Tampa Bay in an Instagram post earlier this month, spent the season in Bowles’ locker room. He saw firsthand what worked - and what didn’t - and his comments echo a growing sentiment around the team: something’s got to give.
The Numbers Tell a Story
Let’s start with the facts. The Buccaneers’ defense finished 20th in the league in scoring defense this season - a noticeable drop from their 16th-place finish in 2024. That’s not a catastrophic fall, but it’s part of a troubling trend for a unit that was once the backbone of the franchise.
Just two years ago, in 2023, Bowles’ defense was a top-10 group. And, of course, it was his defensive wizardry that helped Tampa Bay capture a Super Bowl in the 2020 season. That performance - dialing up relentless pressure on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs - was a defensive clinic and a major reason he was promoted to head coach.
So the résumé is there. Bowles has proven he can build and call an elite defense.
But here’s the thing: being a head coach and a defensive coordinator are two full-time jobs. And in today’s NFL, where every edge matters and every mistake is magnified, trying to juggle both roles might be stretching even someone as capable as Bowles too thin.
When the Defense Falters, So Does the Team
White’s comments aren’t just about the workload - they’re about results. And the clearest example of the Bucs’ defensive struggles came in a late-season meltdown against the Atlanta Falcons.
It was a Thursday night game in December, and Tampa Bay was in control, holding a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter against a sub-.500 Falcons team. Then the wheels came off.
The defense allowed Atlanta to claw back and cut the deficit to two points. Yes, Baker Mayfield’s interception didn’t help, but the real gut punch came on a 3rd-and-28 from Atlanta’s own 29-yard line.
Tampa had an 87.3% win probability at that point. Two plays later, the Falcons had a first down.
Moments after that, they were lining up for a game-winning field goal.
That loss wasn’t just painful - it was emblematic. A defense that once prided itself on closing games and suffocating opponents couldn’t get off the field when it mattered most.
Time for a Change?
If the Buccaneers are going to make meaningful changes this offseason, the question has to be asked: why is the defensive coordinator - who also happens to be the head coach - seemingly untouchable?
White’s suggestion isn’t about disrespect. It’s about delegation. Trusting the rest of the defensive staff, bringing in a fresh mind to call plays, and allowing Bowles to focus on managing the entire team could be the reset button Tampa Bay needs.
Of course, hiring a new defensive coordinator means another change in a building that’s already seen its fair share. Continuity matters. But so does recognizing when a system isn’t working.
Bowles has earned respect for what he’s done in Tampa - no question. But if the Bucs want to get back to being a serious contender, it might be time for him to take a step back from the headset and take a broader view of the team he’s leading.
White’s not alone in thinking that. And the numbers - and the film - back him up.