Rachaad White discusses Buccaneers making another big offensive change

During a recent appearance on the CBS Sports "Pick Six" podcast, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White opened up about the challenges that come with having to work with a third offensive coordinator/play-caller in three years. 

"The biggest thing is, [it is] kind of like inevitable," White said about competing in the ever-changing NFL, as shared by the JoeBucsFan website. "It is tough but I’m not going to sit here and complain about it." 

The Buccaneers unceremoniously parted ways with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and five other assistants in January 2023 shortly before legendary quarterback Tom Brady announced his "for good" retirement. 

Former Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Dave Canales ultimately replaced Leftwich in Tampa Bay and helped signal-caller Baker Mayfield become a Comeback Player of the Year candidate. Canales is now head coach of the Carolina Panthers, while the Buccaneers have Liam Coen as their new OC. 

"It kind of takes a minute [to learn], for sure, for everybody to get on the same page," White said during the podcast. "Going from Dave to Liam, we will have a good amount of carryover. We should be in sync." 

Coen previously served as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams and coached Mayfield across four starts and five games late in the 2022 season. Tampa Bay's hiring of Coen reportedly "came on the recommendation of Mayfield" even though it occurred before Mayfield agreed to a three-year deal to stay with the Buccaneers. 

As Mike Sando noted for The Athletic earlier this week, the Buccaneers also held onto star wide receiver Mike Evans and running back Chase Edmonds this offseason. 

White suggested that Tampa Bay "shouldn’t have too much problems" going from Canales to Coen in part because Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht did well to largely keep the band together after the club claimed the NFC South division title this past season. 

It's worth noting that Mayfield is no stranger to change considering both the Cleveland Browns and Panthers gave up on him in 2022 before his cup-of-coffee stint with the Rams. 

Mayfield's relationship with Coen should help White and others inside the locker room become familiar with a different offensive scheme long before the games begin to matter in September.