Buccaneers running back Rachaad White stirred speculation with a cryptic Instagram post suggesting 2025 may be his final season in Tampa Bay. As offseason activities approach, the post has fueled conversation about his future with the team—especially following the emergence of Bucky Irving as the lead back.
Todd Bowles Responds to Rachaad White’s ‘One Last Ride’ Post Amid Contract Uncertainty
Irving is the Buccaneers’ running back of the future after breaking out for 1,122 yards on 207 carries during his 2024 rookie campaign. No one would debate that.
Still, White — a third-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2022 — just turned 26 years old. He’s got plenty of gas left in the tank. White recently shared an Instagram story, featuring quarterback Baker Mayfield, and captioned it with “One last ride.”
Cryptic post by Rachaad White but seems to say he will be leaving after 2025 as a free agent. pic.twitter.com/Tg7C9TuZhG
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) May 24, 2025
The message seemed less like a metaphor and more like foreshadowing. Having lost his starting job to Irving and heading into the final year of his rookie deal, White’s future with the Bucs appears uncertain at best.
Pewter Report amplified the message by sharing Matthew Hewitt’s observation that White might be preparing for an amicable departure from Tampa Bay. The indications have been evident for a while. Irving’s rise and White’s diminished role last season—culminating in only 17 touches across Weeks 16 through 18 and minimal playoff action—suggest White has already become expendable in the backfield rotation.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles on Rachaad White’s cryptic post on social media that read, “Last ride.” White will become a free agent in March and lost his starting job to Bucky Irving. pic.twitter.com/d3F2SsSooV
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) May 27, 2025
The subtle post didn’t escape notice. On May 28, 2025, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles addressed the situation publicly for the first time.
When asked about White’s post, Bowles said: “I don’t know what that means, I don’t have Twitter, first of all, but ‘Last Ride’ for me is kind of like the Magnificent Seven, going into those type of deals, but I don’t know what different things mean. I think Rachaad’s been here, he’s been great, he plays hard, he practices hard, we’re going to need all three of them, and I’m not really into tweets.”
Bowles’ response acknowledged White’s effort and value without confirming any long-term commitment. His mention of a “three-headed monster” approach in 2024, which includes Sean Tucker and Bucky Irving, reinforces the idea that the team is preparing to distribute snaps more evenly, if not shift away from White entirely.
White’s post may have been an honest signal, but it could backfire. The Bucs now hold little leverage in potential trade talks, reducing any chance of recouping value before White hits free agency next offseason. Meanwhile, the coaching staff might reduce his role even further, limiting his ability to enhance his market value.
Despite this, White has been a professional. He didn’t protest when Irving leapfrogged him on the depth chart and continued to work hard. His candid approach may not align with business strategies, but it reflects a player ready for a fresh start on his terms.
