Buccaneers sign RB Bobby Rainey to two-year extension

Usually during this time of the NFL offseason, you’re hearing about teams reaching agreements with unrestricted free agents or releasing guys who will cost them a ton of money. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided to be a little more proactive with their running back corps, signing exclusive rights free agent Bobby Rainey to a two-year extension on Wednesday.

After being released by the Cleveland Browns, Rainey gave the Bucs some good work last season when starter Doug Martin went down with a shoulder injury. Tampa’s offense is very dependent on a successful running game, so the Bucs front office wasn’t going to take any chances with a guy they knew could be productive.

In nine games with the Buccaneers, Rainey rushed for 532 yards on 137 carries, averaging 3.8 yards per carry with five touchdowns. He two huge games–163 rushing yards Week 11 and 127 yards with an 80-yard scoring run in Week 14–and showed he had great burst when in the open field.

I’d look for Rainey to battle it out with Mike James for the number two spot in the Bucs backfield if Martin is healthy. This extension shows the confidence the coaches have in Rainey to be a big part of their offense.