Tristan Wirfs: Rachaad White Is “Selfless” And Valuable
October 18th, 2025
Bucs RB Rachaad White not just a runner.
Rachaad White may no longer be the Bucs’ No. 1 running back with the emergence of Bucky Irving. But don’t try to tell left tackle Tristan Wirfs that White is not valuable.
White might be running his best since the Bucs drafted him in 2022. But it is the little things that often go unnoticed, where White has demonstrated his value.
Wirfs wants the world to know White’s teammates sure know how important he is.
“Rachaad has been here awhile now,” Wirfs said. “We all know how important — how big – he is to this team.
“I think I said it last week, I cannot remember how many times he has iced the game [with] a slide [or] breaks a big run.”
Two weeks ago the Bucs were knotted up with the Seahawks at 35-35 in the final minute, with the game tied 35-35. It appeared White was about to turn the corner on Seattle defender Nehemiah Pritchett. There was nothing but green grass between White and the goal line had he made that turn.
Instead, White slid down. He didn’t want to score and give Seattle plenty of time to mount a game-winning drive. Better to let the Bucs bleed the final 38 seconds and kick a field goal to win.
“He does the selfless thing and slides down, but in pass protection, Rachaad puts his nose in there,” Wirfs said. “He pops guys, and it is really cool to see — really fun for us as offensive linemen when he comes off the edge and chips some guys, that is always fun — helping us out a little bit.”
White is in a contract year and over the summer he had a social media post that seemed like he has plans to play elsewhere once the season is over — where he can get more touches. Joe can’t fault a guy for leaving to get more snaps and perhaps get paid.
The Bucs have key players that are going to need to be paid (including Baker Mayfield not far down the road) and there may not be enough Team Glazer loot to keep a strong RB2.
Wirfs sure hopes it doesn’t come to that. “Rachaad is awesome; he is a great teammate, great player, and we are so blessed to have him.”
