Washington
Rachaad White signs contract with Commanders: How RB fits in Washington
Day one of NFL free agency delivers big signings and early winners
Chris Bumbaca recaps day one of NFL free agency, highlighted by Kenneth Walker III landing with the Chiefs and Mike Evans signing with the 49ers.
The NFL quarterback carousel draws more headlines, but the league’s running back carousel has been similarly active this offseason.
The latest move sees former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White heading to the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal, according to multiple reports. White was getting his first shot at free agency in 2026 after playing the first four years of his career on a rookie deal with the Bucs.
The 27-year-old running back becomes the 11th player from his position to sign a deal in free agency this offseason, per Spotrac. White joins free agent headliners Travis Etienne (Saints) and Kenneth Walker (Chiefs) in landing with a new team.
White was the Buccaneers’ lead running back during the 2023 season, but he started to lose touches to Bucky Irving in 2024 as the then-rookie (Irving) started to break out. White finished the 2025 season with 572 yards and four touchdowns on 132 carries in 17 games (eight starts).
As the Arizona State product finds a new NFL home, here’s a closer look at his contract, stats and fit with the Commanders:
Rachaad White contract details
Here’s how White’s new contract with the Commanders looks by the numbers:
- Term: One year
- Total contract value: TBA
- Average annual value (AAV): TBA
- Guaranteed money: TBA
This section will be updated.
Rachaad White stats
White hit free agency for the first time this offseason after playing out his four-year rookie deal with the Buccaneers. Here’s how his stats look from his first four seasons in the NFL:
- Rush attempts: 677
- Rushing yards: 2,656
- Yards per attempt: 3.9
- Rushing touchdowns: 14
- Receptions: 205
- Receiving yards: 1,450
- Receiving touchdowns: 11
How does Rachaad White fit with the Commanders?
White joins a Commanders backfield that already features second-year Jacory Croskey-Merritt, the 2025 seventh-round pick who broke out as a rookie last year. He’ll serve as somewhat of a replacement for fellow veteran back Austin Ekeler, who hit free agency this offseason.
White brings value as a greater three-down asset for Washington’s running backs room. Croskey-Merritt managed to tally 805 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground but had only nine receptions as a rookie. Conversely, White has never had fewer than 40 receptions in a year.
The veteran running back also reunites with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was Arizona State’s quarterback while White was still playing out his collegiate career with the Sun Devils.