Rachaad White On Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Lack Of Postseason Success And The Key To Changing That

Forbes

15-05-2025

Rachaad White details what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to do to get over the hump in the playoffs ... More and why teammates rally around Baker Mayfield. (Photo by)
Rachaad White knows the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at the edge of the doorstep when it comes to being an elite team.
The Buccaneers have been one of the NFL's best teams over the past five seasons, clinching a playoff berth in each one of those years while winning the division title in four consecutive seasons – the first time in franchise history they've accomplished the feat.
With that being said, they've struggled to advance deep in the playoffs in recent years, failing to advance past the divisional round since 2021. The Buccaneers appeared to have the upper hand against the Washington Commanders in their playoff game, carrying a lead into the fourth quarter. However, a fourth quarter fumble changed the momentum of the game.
'Little mistakes and crucial moments,' says White in a one-on-one interview when asked what the Buccaneers need to fix to advance deeper in the playoffs. 'That's the biggest thing, man. As a whole, we're keeping each other accountable and keeping each other locked in and focused and really just pursuing that goal that we have. I've been blessed and fortunate to make the playoffs in all three years. Just trying to get over that hump.'
Although the Bucs have struggled to advance deep in the playoffs, they've been close in most of their games. During the 2023 season – the first year of the Baker Mayfield era – Tampa Bay blew out the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles before losing by one possession to the Detroit Lions.
As White points out, the difference in a playoff game is 'situational football.'
'The little things, probably just got to clean them up, especially situational football, because when we get to the playoffs, a lot of it is about situation football,' says White. 'Making the plays count that you get, because the game slows down a whole lot. That's the biggest thing, man, and really trusting and believing in one another. Everybody doing their job.'
The Buccaneers actually have the third-longest active NFL playoff streak and the longest of any NFC team. They have a number of proven Pro Bowlers on their roster in Mayfield, Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs, Vita Vea and Lavonte David.
White feels their roster matches up with the very best of any NFL team.
'We're right there,' says White of the Buccaneers. 'I tell my boys all the time, look at our roster against a lot of people's rosters. A lot of people sleep on us, and it's okay. I see it all the time. Give general manager Jason (Licht) a lot of credit when we look at the roster we have built. If I'm just being honest, you match this up against a lot of other rosters. I don't think we far off from anybody. I really think we're up there with the best of the best.'
The fourth-year back mentions the Buccaneers' receivers, tight ends, running backs etc. and says they can match up with any other NFL's lineup.
One of the major reasons the Buccaneers have continued their success in the post-Tom Brady era is due to the resurgence of Mayfield. The former No. 1 overall pick has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, clinching back-to-back Pro Bowl berths with the Buccaneers and recently ranking second in touchdowns during the 2024 season (41).
'He's down to earth, humble, but him just having that chip on his shoulder and just being passionate and caring about what he does,' says White of what makes Mayfield a great leader. 'Obviously, he been through some stuff. I've been able to lean on him and just hearing some of the stuff he'd been through, the ups and downs in the league and things like that. Just picking his brain and just understanding who he is as a human being.'
The Buccaneers haven't seen any dropoff since Brady's departure. In fact, they've been slightly better, increasing their win total from eight wins in Brady's last year to nine wins during the 2023 season and 10 wins during the 2024 season.
A lot of that is due to the stability that Mayfield has brought to the position. The 30-year-old quarterback has finally found his footing after bouncing around the league over recent years.
'He came in here energetic, juice and swagger,' says White of why teammates rally around Mayfield. 'That's who he is, his confidence, his swagger, his juice, and how far he came, and just the journey, the process. It shapes you to be who you are.
'You can take whatever you want out of it and just learn from it,' says White of being Mayfield's teammate. 'I really like that, and that's what he has brought to his team – the swagger, confidence, charisma, energy, and a guy we know that's gonna give us his all. We're going to do the same thing.'
White says he believes the Buccaneers are going to have a 'special' year and tells people on TV to think twice before they say something they might regret about Tampa Bay.
'People just think twice before they say something that they haven't really thought about on the aspect of our team and what we're going to do,' says White. 'Just stay tuned. Be tuned in. We're going to put together a hell of a year. I really feel like it's going to be special, and that's just real. You can see it on my face.'
As White prepares for his fourth NFL season, he'll be keeping himself busy with his two-day youth football camp in Orlando starting May 31 at Heroes Community Park. The 26-year-old running back – along with other NFL stars – will teach fundamental skills training to campers. The second day of the camp will feature a community flag football scrimmage.
White has annually done this camp in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri – which he'll still do in July – but he wanted to bring it closer to Tampa Bay.
'This is the first time I'm doing it in Orlando,' says White. 'I had a camp last year back home in Kansas City, Missouri, but this year, I wanted to do it (near Tampa Bay). Just have a fun day. It'll be football, basketball, all the things you can possibly think of. Some volleyball, frisbee, whatever kids want to do. But this year I wanted to move that camp to Orlando.'
While White wouldn't detail exactly which NFL stars will be at his camp, he did hint that a major one – Commanders quarterback and former Arizona State Sun Devils teammate Jayden Daniels –- will be there.
'My boy should be there, star quarterback in this league,' says White while smiling. 'I'm trying to find some hints. He's down there in D.C., cooking it up. If you can pick up on hints, they should know who I'm alluding to. That's my boy, that's the biggest thing I can do, I don't want to name drop and do too much.'