Here’s a bold statement: one of the Buccaneers’ own players thinks head coach Todd Bowles is spreading himself too thin—and it might be costing the team. But here’s where it gets controversial: Running back Rachaad White, a four-year veteran with the Bucs, recently suggested that Bowles should step back from calling defensive plays and focus solely on his role as head coach. During a candid appearance on the Loose Cannons podcast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRl5DdfV858), White didn’t hold back. “I’m just being real,” he said, via PewterReport.com (https://www.pewterreport.com/bucs-player-todd-bowles-stop-calling-plays/). “I think Coach Bowles would be better off letting someone else handle the defense. It would allow him to focus on the bigger picture—managing the team, making strategic decisions, and trusting his defensive staff to do their jobs.”
White’s point isn’t just about workload—it’s about efficiency. He believes Bowles could be more effective as a head coach if he wasn’t juggling play-calling duties. And this is the part most people miss: The Bucs finished 20th in points allowed during the 2025 season, and while they’ve dismissed two assistants and seen a third retire, there’s no sign they’re hiring a traditional defensive coordinator. Instead, they’re focusing on new offensive and special teams coordinators, leaving White to wonder if a complete overhaul might be in order. “Why not just get a new everything?” he asked, raising a valid—and provocative—question.
White admits he understands why the Bucs didn’t opt for a total staff shakeup, but he acknowledges it’s “tough” to rebuild on the fly. His honesty is refreshing, but it might come at a cost: with White set to hit free agency this offseason, his blunt assessment could impact his chances of returning to Tampa Bay. Here’s the real question: Is White onto something, or is he overstepping his bounds? Should Bowles delegate more, or is his hands-on approach exactly what the Bucs need? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions.
