The Buccaneers’ backfield looks different on paper, but the real shift is more about how the carries will be divided than who’s in the room.
Rachaad White said early on that he was headed for free agency, and he followed through by signing a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders. Tampa Bay kept Sean Tucker in the fold, then replaced White’s spot next to Bucky Irving with Kenneth Gainwell, a versatile addition who should fit into plenty of different situations.
That setup points to a more even workload in 2026. Irving handled the bulk of the touches when he was healthy last season, but the expectation now is a more balanced approach with Irving and Gainwell doing most of the heavy lifting while Tucker chips in where needed.
Irving’s 2025 season made one thing clear: he got worn down. He does not look like a true workhorse back, and easing that load could help get him back to the form he showed as a rookie. With the way this room is shaping up, Irving and Gainwell could end up splitting carries much more closely than Tampa Bay did a year ago.
Tucker should still have a role, especially in short-yardage situations and possibly near the goal line. That kind of distribution gives all three backs a path to meaningful production, even if none of them is likely to blow past 1,000 rushing yards in 2026. A more realistic projection would have both Irving and Gainwell topping 500 yards on the ground, while also contributing nearly that much as receivers.
Touchdowns may be where Gainwell stands out most. Given his past success around the goal line, he looks like the back most likely to lead the group in scores.
The bigger question is how the offense will use them. Tampa Bay leaned heavily on gap runs last season under Josh Grizzard, but that approach is expected to change now that he’s gone. The Bucs’ ground game was still the offense’s best weapon, but it never found the same rhythm or burst it had in 2024 under Liam Coen.
Now Robinson is in charge, and the plan appears to be a major stylistic reset. He’s expected to bring in more zone concepts and make heavy use of the pistol formation, which was a staple for him with the Atlanta Falcons. Matching the scheme to the backs on hand will matter, and Robinson has a chance to revive this unit if the fit is right.
Of course, the old concern is still hanging around: injuries. Gainwell has been fairly durable throughout his career, and Tucker has also stayed on the field. Irving, though, is coming off a serious shoulder injury he played through late in the year before undergoing offseason surgery.
If Tampa Bay loses one or two backs for a long stretch, that would complicate not just the running game, but the offense as a whole.
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Rachaad White spent four seasons in Tampa Bay carving out a reputation as one of the leagues more dependable pass-catching backs, the kind of player who could stay on the field when the game tightened up. His production with the Buccaneers gave him a clear NFL resume, and it also made his next opportunity easy to understand: a chance to show he can do more than just fill a niche role.
In Washington, White has already turned heads during OTAs and minicamp, putting himself in the mix for meaningful work in a crowded backfield. The Commanders have several runners competing for touches, but Whites third-down value and receiving ability give him a path to stand out, and the next step is whether that early momentum carries into a larger role when the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
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Zac Robinson May Fix One Bucs Problem Fans Are Tired Of
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Robinsons approach in Atlanta was built around mixing in the run while still being willing to attack after an incomplete first-down throw, which is exactly the kind of sequencing the Buccaneers have been missing at times. The real test comes once the system gets installed when training camp opens on July 28, when the Bucs will start finding out whether this new structure can finally smooth out one of their most frustrating offensive habits. [Read more 🡒]