Buccaneers RB Competition Heating Up Behind Rachaad White?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of the worst run games in football last season, but they might be improved in 2024. With Rachaad White leading the room , behind him, a couple of running backs are making their presence felt in Liam Coen's offense.

In Tampa Bay's first preseason outing against the Cincinnati Bengals, rookie Bucky Irving finished with 28 yards and a touchdown from just six carries, while Sean Tucker was the star of the show, rushing for 68 yards from 10 carries.

So that was a good start, and now the pair have consolidated those efforts in the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Irving was again solid, rushing for 26 yards on six carries (he averaged 4.3 yards a carry), and Tucker showed his big-play ability, having one rush for 21 yards (two rushes for 24 yards at halftime). The Buccaneers seem to have found some juice in the backfield.

Last season, behind White, quarterback Baker Mayfield was the team's next-best rusher, which, of course, isn't ideal. Now, with Irving and potentially Tucker in the backfield, the Buccaneers have the weaponry to ease the offensive workload on White and Mayfield.

With Irving and Tucker showing their talents through the first two preseason games, if we pair them with White, the Buccaneers have the beginnings of a good running back room. ... with the competition heating up.

Related: Preseason Preview: Will Buccaneers Play Starters vs. Jaguars?

While yes, it is only preseason, and not much can really be taken from these games, with Irving and Tucker showing plenty of promise, that is all the Buccaneers coaching staff could have asked for.

With one preseason game remaining, there isn't much time left to impress before roster cuts, but it appears that Irving and Tucker have already done just that.