Bucky Irving emerged as the steal of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2024 NFL Draft. Selected on Day 3, Irving exceeded expectations in his rookie season, helping transform the Buccaneers’ run game from one of the league’s worst to among the best.
Sharing the backfield with fourth-year running back Rachaad White, the duo quickly became one of the NFL’s most effective tandems. However, Irving’s breakout performance sparked speculation that White could be traded this offseason.
While no credible reports have confirmed trade discussions, Irving has made it clear he would not support a move that sends White elsewhere.
Irving Not in Favor of Rachaad White Trade
White produced several flashy moments as a rookie in 2022, including completing a touchdown pass from Tom Brady for a 13-point comeback against the New Orleans Saints, and finished the season with 129 carries for 481 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with 50 receptions for 290 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
White’s playing time doubled in 2023, and he finished the season with 272 carries for 990 yards and six touchdowns to go along with 64 receptions for 549 yards and three touchdowns.
Following Irving’s arrival in 2024, White’s playing time decreased, but he was still productive, logging 144 carries for 613 yards and three touchdowns. His brilliance through the air remained intact, catching 51 passes for 393 yards and six touchdowns.
It’s clear that White remains a productive back who would likely start for most teams in the league, and with the Buccaneers looking to accumulate draft capital, trade speculation has persisted. However, Irving believes the 26-year-old is in a good place in Tampa Bay and has expressed no issue with sharing snaps in a rotational role alongside him.
“I feel he’s good where he is, man, great 1-2 punch,” he said on “Up and Adams Show.” “We got lot of great running backs in our room..anyone can start but I don’t go into the game cuz I had three running backs at Oregon and we all just used to rotate. We pretty much go into the game, and whenever the opportunity is, you just gotta go out there and compete. It’s not, oh, he starts, he starts this.. It’s not like that. It’s always you just gotta go out there and compete for your brother.”
Bucky Irving on the idea that Rachaad White might get traded. 🚫@heykayadams | @BuckyIrving pic.twitter.com/87hgDUjUyu
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 8, 2025
Irving also revealed that White meant everything to him, and he was the first person who welcomed him with open arms into the NFL last year.
“Rachaad White means everything to me,” Irving said. “Man, that’s the guy. As soon as I got here, them guys took me in with open arms. Just showed me the ropes on how the NFL is going to treat me. Them the type of guys that you need around when you first come into the league.”
Irving far surpassed his Day 3 draft status as a rookie, rushing for over 1,100 yards along with eight touchdowns. He also added 392 receiving yards and a touchdown, and will hope his partnership with White continues for at least the 2025 season.