Bucs Reveal Major Update To Running Back Plan

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Apr 5, 2025 9:37 AM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers under Liam Coen in 2024 were one of the best rushing teams in football, averaging 146.5 yards per game.

A big part of that was rookie Bucky Irving, who started behind Rachaad White as the No. 2 back, but quickly usurped his teammate to be the leading back for Tampa Bay as he rushed for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns.

White and Sean Tucker made up what was quite the attacking trio for Baker Mayfield, with each back getting their lick of the ice cream at various stages during the season.

But now that Irving has emerged as the genuine No. 1 guy, does head coach Todd Bowles see anything changing in 2025 with Josh Grizzard now the offensive coordinator?

In what constitutes a major update ...

“I don't think it'll change much," Bowles said. "Bucky will be the guy coming in, Rachaad will play a ton too depending on how the game goes is how you rotate and use him. I think Bucky knows more now mentally so he can handle more in the beginning of the season and Rachaad's always known more and I think we got to get Sean [Tucker] in there a little bit more as well because he's a heck of a runner for us and we got to play him a lot more than we played him in the past."

Ivring, White, and Tucker all had their moments in the sun, and their ability to be productive every week made Mayfield's job easier in the passing game. Bucky rushed for over 1,000 yards, White over 600, and Tucker over 300 as Coen used each back in a variety of ways.

It appears that Bowles has a similar vision for the trio in 2025, and now that Irving will have another offseason under his belt, the expectation is that he will continue to be the straw that stirs the Buccaneers' drink.

Bowles still wants a three-headed monster at running back, and it's clear that is exactly what defenses are going to get with Irving, White, and Tucker all capable of dishing out the pain.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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