Rachaad White
Rachaad White
There might not be an NFL team this offseason in more desperate need of finding value during free agency than the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings could potentially find that at running back with Rachaad White.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon identified White as his best value at running back in 2026 NFL free agency. Gagnon then named the Vikings a potential landing spot for the veteran.
“Gently used in three of his four seasons to date, White saw his yards‑per‑attempt jump from 3.7 in 2022‑23 to 4.3 in 2024‑25, and he’s also shaken a fumble problem, suggesting he should still have strong years left at 27,” wrote Gagnon.
Gagnon projected White’s contract worth to be $12 million on a 2-year contract.
Vikings Precarious NFL Salary Cap Situation Entering 2026 Free Agency
With four days until the NFL’s legal tampering period, the Vikings possess the worst cap situation in the league. According to Spotrac, they are more than $44.5 million above the 2026 salary cap.
Now, that doesn’t include several cuts insiders report the Vikings plan to make. According to reporters, Minnesota will release running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen before next week.
The Vikings could also trade defensive end Jonathan Greenard.
Those cuts will get Minnesota close to cap compliance. But it will also create holes across their roster.
To fill the hole left from Jones, the Vikings could target White. At his projected $6 million per season, White would cost less than the cap savings the Vikings will earn from Jones’s release.
It’s possible White could receive a deal paying him even less than $6 million in 2026. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper projected White’s value at $11 million on a 2-year deal.
What Rachaad White Would Bring to Vikings Offense
Not every NFL analyst sees White as one of the consensus top running backs available this offseason. If he were, though, he probably wouldn’t be a discount.
But analysts such as Gagnon and Popper see the value. Popper rated White the No. 5 free agent running back this offseason.
White’s best statistical season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was 2023. During that campaign, he had 990 rushing yards along with 64 receptions and 549 receiving yards.
White was solid again in 2024, posting more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns for a second straight year.
In 2025, White wasn’t as efficient, leading to lower statistics. But he also didn’t get as many touches.
Last season, White ran for 572 yards on 132 carries. He had a career-low 172 touches.
In four years with the Buccaneers, the veteran running back averaged 3.9 yards per carry. He ran for 2,656 yards and caught 205 passes for an additional 1,450 yards. White also scored 25 touchdowns.
The Vikings will have Jordan Mason returning in their backfield next season. Mason led the team in rushing last year, but he’s never had more than 173 touches in a season.
Adding a running back such as White would give Minnesota much-needed running back depth at a cheap price.
Last season, Jones had just 548 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The year prior, though, when the Vikings were a playoff team, Jones ran for a career-best 1,138 yards.
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Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb