Three days before the much-anticipated season opener against the Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen was asked a question on everyone's mind: how would he manage the rotation between running backs Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker?
But instead of hyping up a three-man backfield, Coen quickly poured cold water on the idea.
“I’ve done three-back rotations in the past, and man, that gets exhausting — for a coach, for a play-caller,” Coen admitted. “Because now it’s like, OK, who’s in the game? What are they good at? What do we want to do with them?”
He didn’t mince words about who’s at the center of his game plan. “Ultimately, it’s Rachaad’s show, and Bucky and Sean are going to get a lot of work and hopefully be efficient and do a great job when they’re in there,” he added, laying out the expectations for the rotation.
Fast-forward a week later, and the narrative took a dramatic turn. With White sidelined due to a foot injury, Tucker and Irving took the field against the Saints and put on a jaw-dropping show. The "Buck and Tuck" duo, as they are now known, ran riot on the field, amassing 297 total yards of offense between them. Tucker alone rushed for an astounding 136 yards on 14 carries, scoring a touchdown and catching three passes for another 56 yards and a receiving touchdown. Meanwhile, Irving contributed 81 rushing yards, a touchdown, and caught two passes for 24 yards.
Their combined performance was nothing short of spectacular, leading the Buccaneers to a historic offensive output of 594 net yards, the highest in a single game for the franchise. They ran for 277 yards, which was the third-highest in Bucs history, averaging an impressive 7.9 yards per carry, the fourth-best mark ever for the team.
So, with White recovering and set to return for the Monday night showdown against the Ravens, the question on everyone’s mind was clear: would Coen stick with the hot hands in Tucker and Irving or revert to his original plan of putting White back in the driver’s seat?
“All guys are going to play; they’re going to get reps, and at the end of the day whoever is giving us the best opportunity to win throughout that game will probably get the majority of the carries,” Coen said when asked about his game plan. The coach also mentioned giving each back a series early in the game to find their rhythm and see who could offer the best performance. “At the end of the day, that’s what it’s going to have to be, is all three of those guys are going to get a series, and really, whoever is giving us the best opportunity,” he emphasized.
This approach is a sharp pivot from Coen’s initial dismissal of a three-back system. But what made him change his mind after his initial hesitation? Maybe it was the sheer dominance of Tucker and Irving, whose explosive runs and big plays gave the Bucs offense a new dynamic. After a record-setting performance, it’s hard to argue against giving these guys more reps. Coen himself said it best: “This is a game that we’re going to need to break tackles and run violently, so whoever is giving us that, we’ll be able to ride that.”
However, the reality of an NFL season is tough, especially for running backs, who often face injuries and have shorter career spans. While White has been the starter for three seasons and rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season, he’s averaging just 3.7 yards per carry this year. Should the Bucs really go back to the old formula, especially after the “Buck and Tuck” tandem showed what they can do?
There’s likely more at play here than just on-field performance. White is a known quantity and has been a staple of the Bucs offense for years. There's an old adage in football that players shouldn’t lose their jobs due to injury, but let’s be honest — it happens all the time. Yet, Coen and the coaching staff may be trying to strike a balance, respecting White’s role while also rewarding the hot hands.
Another layer to this debate comes from running backs coach Skip Peete, who offers a different perspective. He believes rotating all three backs during the same game might actually be the key to long-term success. “You look at college football these days, and these guys don’t play every play,” Peete explained. “They all platoon. Bucky said when he was at Oregon, the first three games they played six backs. You look at every college team, and they’re playing three and four running backs. I think guys in this era aren’t built that way, to play 50 plays a game.”
Peete’s experience with rotating backs is extensive. He’s coached in the NFL for years, working with teams like the Raiders, Cowboys, Bears, and Rams. He’s no stranger to sharing carries among multiple backs, having orchestrated rotations in the past with players like Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice in Dallas, and even with six different backs in Oakland.
According to Peete, there’s a logic to rotating backs, allowing each player to give their best without wearing down. He tells his players, “You have a role. You understand your role within this offense.” It’s about playing within your skill set and excelling in those moments.
The numbers certainly back this up. Sean Tucker, despite going undrafted due to concerns over a heart condition, has proven to be a special talent. His breakout performance against the Saints earned him the NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, a recognition that was deeply meaningful to the young running back. “(It) meant a lot,” Tucker said. “(It) just shows all the hard work that I put into the game.”
Even quarterback Baker Mayfield is excited about the potential Tucker brings to the offense. “He’s a guy that we want to get the ball in his hands,” Mayfield said, praising Tucker's explosiveness. “We just have to get him the ball more.”
Yet, there’s a challenge looming ahead. The Ravens defense is currently ranked No. 1 against the run, and the Bucs can’t afford to waste possessions trying to figure out their backfield rotation. With only 10 or 12 series in a game, each possession is precious. Can they really afford to give each back a series to find their groove?
Peete remains confident that each of his running backs can succeed if they stick to what they do best. “I think they all in their own mind think, ‘I’m this guy,’” he said. “Their skill sets are different. I think they all can have success, just playing within themselves.”
Ultimately, the Bucs face a fascinating dilemma. Do they stick with the hot hands in Tucker and Irving, or do they revert to the trusted veteran in White?
Login