Latest Bucs Cap Casualty Prediction Is Shocking

We’re at the point of the Bucs and NFL offseason where many predictions are made about free agency and overall roster construction, which is also includes who won’t be on it. This is typically due to a team looking to save money and create more space for the salary cap since free agency is around the corner.

There are some moves that have already been made by some teams. The Bucs have not been a stranger to doing this early. For example, last offseason heading into the NFL Scouting Combine, they had let go of outside linebacker Shaq Barrett to let him get an early start in pursuing free agency. Barrett ended up signing with the Dolphins, retiring, then un-retiring at the end of the season and re-signing with the Bucs, but that is besides the point.

A couple of players stand out more than other when it comes time to decide who might be a salary cap casualty, but this one that was suggested by ESPN writer Aaron Schatz was rather shocking. In fairness, this story is about the bold moves that could be made this offseason. This take about the Bucs has them moving on from an important contributor with the prediction that the team would release Rachaad White to save some cash.

Here is what was said.

“The Buccaneers enter free agency with only $2.2 million in cap space. They need to make some room and one way to do it is to say goodbye to White. The running back is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so the Buccaneers can cut him for $3.3 million in cap savings with less than $250,000 in dead money.”

Bucs Still Need Rachaad White

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

This isn’t the first time it’s been suggested by others this offseason that the Bucs should move on from Rachaad White, but it has typically been added with the caveat of trading him rather than releasing him. Saving $3.3 million helps Tampa Bay’s salary cap, but there are other ways the team can open up cap room through contract reconstructing and extensions of others players before it has to release players.

There are also other players that could be released where the Bucs would save even more money. For example, letting go of safety Jordan Whitehead would save $4.5 million, would not have any dead cap hit, and Tampa Bay is likely to add a safety this offseason anyway. Plus, the Bucs already have some in-house options with Tykee Smith and Christian Izien if they choose to go that route.

Two statements about the Bucs running back can be true. Yes, the team is better with Bucky Irving as the starting running back and what he does for the overall ground game. But the Bucs would be worse off as an offense overall if White isn’t there either. White is by far the best pass blocking running back for Tampa Bay, and Irving was exposed a bit when required to do more of it at the end of the season.

We’ve see how much damage White can do as a receiving back out of the backfield, but really he can do a little bit of everything. In 2023 as the lead back, White had 1,539 all purpose yards with nine touchdowns. During the 2024 season he still had 1,006 all-purpose yards and his touchdowns remained at nine on the year. Why would the Bucs want to move on from that?

Arguments will be made about Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay’s third-string back who won NFC Offensive Player Of The Week on the road against the Saints. Tucker has talent, but isn’t as consistent as the others. He struggles even more in the pass protection game and he can’t just be promoted based on one good game. More playing time? Sure, but he hasn’t proven he can be an effective third-down back like White is.

In other seasons it would be fair to to argue that they could just find White’s replacement in this year’s draft. While I wouldn’t rule out a late Day 3 pick, the Bucs have so many more needs to address this season that a luxury pick of another running back just doesn’t seem in play until very, very late.

Watch Why The Bucs Won’t Trade Rachaad White

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

This might be the last season for Rachaad White with the Bucs as recent history has shown that it’s not wise to invest much money at running back. But that also doesn’t mean the team should move on from him a season early when it doesn’t have to. The Bucs are in a great spot at running back with Bucky Irving and White, who also thrive as a tandem in the Pony package when both are on the field at the same time. There’s no need to shake up the running back room when so many other spots need more attention.

In recent weeks Pewter Report has spoken about the trade possibility of Rachaad White on the Pewter Report Podcast. Check out the YouTube video of us discussing the matter and weighing the pros and cons of each side of it.

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