Buccaneers' decision on Leonard Fournette shows confidence in Rachaad White

While Bucs fans should always remember "Playoff Lenny" for what he contributed to the team's run to Super Bowl LV, the last two seasons haven't been pretty. 

After Fournette re-signed with Tampa Bay last March on a three-year contract, the team was reportedly "not happy" with the running back's weight when he reported to camp in July.

Following a season-opening effort where he rushed for 127 yards, Fournette failed to reach the century mark on the ground the rest of the campaign and only surpassed 100 scrimmage yards three other times. Despite playing in a career-high 16 games and recording his most rushing attempts (189) since 2019, the LSU product produced only 668 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns for a measly 3.5 yards per carry.

His Bucs tenure ended in the team's NFC wild-card round loss to the Dallas Cowboys where he registered just 11 rushing yards on five attempts and one catch for six yards.

With Fournette now out of the picture, Tampa Bay is putting all their confidence in 2022 third-round pick Rachaad White.

The 24-year-old showed flashes of being a very capable three-down NFL back last season and led the Buccaneers backfield in their lone playoff game over the winter, picking up 41 yards on seven carries and four receptions for 36 yards. White had four consecutive solid games from Weeks 10 through 14, highlighted by a career-high 105 rushing yards in a win against the Seattle Seahawks and a nine-catch effort against the Cleveland Browns.

Without Fournette and Tom Brady, the Bucs offense is going to look quite different in 2023.