The Bucs are re-signing yet another player. This time it is veteran running back Chase Edmonds , who ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports is coming back on a one-year deal. It will presumably be for the league minimum of $1,125,000.
For Edmonds, he will spend his age-28 season in Tampa Bay after serving as Rachaad White’s top backup last season. After missing some time due to injury earlier in the season, he played in 13 games and filled an underrated role as a change-of-pace back who was also a mentor for a young running back room. On the year, he had 49 carries for 176 yards while adding 14 receptions for 81 yards.
With the way the year played out for Edmonds, he wanted to remain with the Bucs and help to continue building what the team started.
Chase Edmonds Wanted To Remain With The Bucs
After the Bucs closed out their season with a loss to the Lions in the divisional round, Chase Edmonds spoke on how if things worked out he’d love to remain in Tampa Bay. It’s hard for a veteran running back to find a home these days and be compensated fairly for what they provide. With that said, it made plenty of sense for both he and the team to work out a deal to keep him in the fold.
Especially as Edmonds he served a purpose not only on the field but also in being a “big bro.”
“Yeah man if it worked out that way I would love to be back in Tampa,” Edmonds told Pewter Report after the season ended. “It was a lot of fun this year working with the guys and a lot of fun sharing the backfield with Chaad and just playing a big bro role to him. Just being able to grow and be such a small part of his journey and watch him grow as a player bro. That was really cool.
“He kept me energetic and young and s–t. Then to be a part of that cool run as a team, we continually got better as the year went on. That was awesome. Obviously, I would love to be back but you know again, it’s a business. I know how it goes, especially for a veteran running back in this league. Regardless, definitely grateful to Coach Bowles and the coaching staff for the opportunity.”
Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2018, Edmonds has had his share of ups and downs as an NFL player. He made the playoffs with the Cardinals back in 2021 when they went 11-6 in the regular season. But after they slumped into the playoffs and were bounced handily by the Rams, his career took a different turn.
He signed with the Dolphins for the 2022 season but got traded midseason as salary in the Bradley Chubb trade. Edmonds knows the business side of the game, so it was nice for him to enjoy a full season back in a winning environment. In fact, with the way the season went, it was the most fun he has had in the league.
“Yeah just in terms of start to finish man,” Edmonds added. “I’ve been a part of – like AZ [Arizona] was really, really fun even though it ended pretty sour. But this year, we were getting better at making that run bro. Honestly, to call a spade a spade, nobody gave us a chance in hell at the beginning of the year at all. All season. To be able to have that journey with this group and this unit, with the guys that we did, it was cool. It was such a cool blend of super young guys and also still have some seasoned vets in the locker room. It was a cool blend.”
What Will Chase Edmonds’ Role Be In Bucs’ Backfield?
For the Bucs in 2024, Chase Edmonds will likely serve the same role as he did in 2023. That means being the top backup to Rachaad White, although he may cede some carries to second-year back Sean Tucker or another rookie should the team choose to bring someone in.
Edmonds has only eclipsed 100 carries once in a season, back in 2021 when he toted the rock 116 times. His re-signing does not preclude the team from making a bigger move either, although that appears unlikely.
Still, when looking at the direction the team is heading after a surprising year, Edmonds is happy to be in a situation where he sees things only getting better.
“The future’s definitely bright for Tampa Bay, so off to a good start.”
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