With Week 18 around the corner, most NFL teams will start their offseason early once it’s over, which means pending Buccaneers free agent Rachaad White could sign elsewhere in 2026. According to Bleacher Report, White has been a crucial member of the Tampa Bay offense, but it might be time for him to move on. Despite having a solid four-year tenure with the team, the running back has regressed in recent memory. White won’t earn a high-end contract in his next deal, but he has a chance to win a backup role for a team that needs depth at the running back position.
3 Teams That Could Target Top 2026 NFL Free Agent Rachaad White
Originally selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the former Arizona State product is still a reliable ball-carrier. He had more snaps this past season due to Bucky Irving’s injury, but it’s clear that the Buccaneers prefer Irving over White. After losing the starting job, it’s fair for White to search for a team to get himself back up to speed. He isn’t the best running back at breaking out tackles, but he could still be effective in pass situations and catch passes.
Still, White could be an excellent option in screenplays and third-down possessions. He isn’t going to be like lightning in a bottle, but it will be enough to earn a two-year deal on a cheap deal. Many teams are always looking for ways to effectively improve the ground, and these three teams could be the top destinations for White.
Possible Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh loves winning football games with a physical run game, and that will continue to be the philosophy as long as he’s there. After experimenting with Najee Harris as a ball-carrier, he couldn’t live up to the moment alongside rookie Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal. While they can retain Vidal, the Chargers could search for a new backup running back in free agency. White has the size to ram down the defenders, which is something that Harbaugh saw in Hampton when he got drafted.
Hampton and White in one backfield with Vidal catching darts in situational moments sounds like a viable route for Justin Herbert to feel comfortable as a pocket-passer and handing off the football.
Dallas Cowboys
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have several decisions to make regarding the future of their team. Even though most of their focus will be on defense, they can’t ignore finding ways to bargain-bin search for a new running back. The team could lose Javonte Williams to a new team if offered a long-term contract. With George Pickens still without a new deal, this will be the focus for Dallas.
However, they must remember the success they had with Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott in 2026. If they add White, they won’t get all the speed in the world, but it gives the Cowboys a solid option for at least a year.
Washington Commanders
Despite the hype for Jacory Croskey-Merritt this past season, he hasn’t been able to emerge as a consistent ball-carrier. After trading Brian Robinson Jr., the team lost Austin Ekeler to a season-ending injury, who is set for free agency in March. Jeremy McNichols is also an impending free agent, so White could be a reliable long-term backup for Croskey-Merritt, as Jayden Daniels knows White since the two played at Arizona State.