Pro Bowl linebacker Devin White requests trade from Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers pro bowl linebacker Devin White has officially requested a trade, ESPN’s Jenna Laine first reported Tuesday.
Going into his fifth season, the former LSU Tiger has yet to reach a long-term extension in Tampa Bay. White has been one of the best linebackers in the league since he was drafted. Alongside fellow linebacker Lavonte David, the duo led the Bucs’ defense to a Super Bowl victory during the 2020 season.
As a free agent this offseason, David re-signed with Tampa Bay on a team-friendly one-year deal worth $7 million guaranteed. Surprising to most, considering Tampa Bay’s cap situation, the beginning of their offseason was one of the worst in the league. Players like Vita Vea, Chris Godwin, Carlton Davis, and Ryan Jensen agreed to restructure their contracts to create cap space heading into 2023.
Entering the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, White is slated to earn 11.7 million guaranteed in 2023. That number would barely put White outside the top-15 for highest-paid linebackers. While there is room for argument over the league’s best linebacker currently, White is undoubtedly in the top-5. Requesting a trade out of Tampa Bay likely is White’s attempt to have his value met.
After winning and playing a pivotal role in Super Bowl 55, White has the luxury to chase money and not a ring. The trade request signifies the Bucs are potentially low-balling White on an extension offer, or the team simply does not have the money to pay White what he deserves. Regardless of who White lines up for next season, he is still a premier player at the linebacker position.
What will the potential loss of White mean for Tampa Bay?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are far from the same team that defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 55. It registered a mediocre record of 8-9, and still won the lackluster NFC South in 2022. They lost their first-round home matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in a very unceremonious fashion to conclude the season.
Shortly after the season ended, Bucs quarterback Tom Brady retired from the NFL after 23 seasons, and will be led next season by either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask behind center.
Potentially losing a player like White on defense will only hurt the Bucs that much more. With the draft approaching soon, it’s likely a result on White will come before or during the draft. Expecting to replace a caliber of player like White in the draft, however, would be very wishful thinking by Tampa Bay.
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