Devin White

Texans Add LB Devin White

October 25th, 2024 at 8:43am CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 25: As expected, White’s deal will check in well south of where he was in Philly. He will join the Texans on a one-year, $1.13MM contract that will bring a $688K cap hit to Houston’s payroll, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Due to offset language, this will bring some minor cap relief to the Eagles.

OCTOBER 23: Devin White has made a second free agency decision this year. After his Eagles commitment led to a release, the former top-five pick is headed south. The Texans signed White on Wednesday morning.

The former Super Bowl starter will join a defense that added a few new pieces this offseason, though DeMeco Ryans‘ club is taking what amounts to a flier at this point. White washed out of Philadelphia quickly and will hope to reestablish some value he has lost over the past two seasons.

Tampa Bay’s former Lavonte David ILB sidekick has seen his value nosedive over the past two years. Having developed a habit of freelancing in Tampa, White further alienated the Bucs by asking for a trade in 2023. The LSU alum sought a top-five off-ball linebacker contract. The Bucs, who became the rare team in the fully guaranteed fifth-year option era to exercise an off-ball LB’s option, did not give in and kept White in 2023. But he lost playing time down the stretch last season. That proved to be telling for White’s 2024 path.

White was unable to beat out Nakobe Dean in Philly, and new Eagles DC Vic Fangio did not play him at all this season. The Eagles cut White earlier this month. That release came more than two weeks ago, but White — as could be expected, given his experience and draft pedigree — secured a third chance. This Texans deal will be pivotal for his NFL future, however, as his career is trending in the wrong direction.

The Eagles gave White a one-year, $4MM deal; that contract came with $3.5MM guaranteed. It should be expected this Texans pact is closer to the veteran minimum. This pact will help offset that $3.5MM guarantee for the Eagles, while the 26-year-old defender will have a chance to contribute to an AFC contender.

For the accusations of playing out of scheme, White has proven a strong blitzer as a pro. He racked up nine sacks in 2020, earning second-team All-Pro acclaim, and combined for nine more from 2021-22. For his career, the former No. 5 overall pick has 23 sacks. White added a Pro Bowl nod in 2021. White racked up 14o, 128 and 124 tackles from 2020-22, garnering a strong reputation while still seeing pushback from the advanced metrics community.

Among off-ball linebackers from 2019-23, only White and Demario Davis recorded more than 20 sacks in that span. For all this, however, Pro Football Focus never wavered on its stance White was among the more overrated players in the NFL. PFF consistently rated White among the worst off-ball LBs in the game. The Texans do have a high-end athlete to work with, but it would not surprise to see Ryans and Co. wait a bit before deploying the 75-game starter.

A dispute about a White foot injury opened the door for K.J. Britt to receive playing time late last season, and White — who later accused the Bucs of turning on him after his trade request — lost playing time to the former fifth-round pick down the stretch. This included a demotion in the playoffs. Britt now works as a Bucs starter.

The Texans signed ex-Ryans 49ers pupil Azeez Al-Shaair this offseason but have seen both he and recent starter Christian Harris battle injuries. The latter has not debuted yet this season. Al-Shaair missed Houston’s Week 7 game with a knee issue. This creates an immediate need, though Al-Shaair is not on IR. The Texans, who moved on from both Blake Cashman and Denzel Perryman this offseason, will kick the tires on White to see if he can provide some help.

Eagles Release LB Devin White

October 8th, 2024 at 3:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

Devin White‘s free agent spell with the Eagles has come to an abrupt end. The former first-round linebacker was released on Tuesday, per a team announcement.

White began his career in Tampa Bay as a highly impactful player from a statistical perspective. He lost his starting role late in the 2023 season, however, and as a result it came as little surprise when he departed on the open market. White took a one-year deal with the Eagles, but he has yet to make a regular season appearance. Now, the team will move on.

The former No. 5 pick was once attached to an asking price on a Bucs extension which would have made him one of the league’s highest-paid middle linebackers. By contrast, White took a one-year deal worth only $4MM to join Philadelphia’s efforts at finding a suitable setup at the position. With $3.5MM of that total being guaranteed, this move figures to create a dead money charge of just over $3MM. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes White worked out an agreement which could grant the team “potential savings,” however. Still, today’s news marks an unceremonious ending to this relationship.

White appeared to be on track to handle a starting workload during the summer, be instead he began the campaign in a backup capacity. Since the 26-year-old does not have extensive experience on special teams, he found himself a healthy scratch in Week 2 (after an ankle injury kept him out of the season opener). Rather than remaining out of the picture – barring injuries further up the depth chart – team and player have elected to part ways, Since this move has been made before the trade deadline, White will not be subject to waivers.

As such, the LSU product will be free to sign with any interested team in a bid to rebuild his market value. Interest figures to be limited given the way White’s career has gone recently, but he posted at least 124 tackles each year from 2020-22 and racked up 23 sacks during his Tampa Bay tenure. He could serve in a rotational capacity with a team seeking out linebacker depth, especially one which was planning on addressing the position via trade.

In the meantime, the Eagles will move forward with Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean – who beat out White for a first-team role during the lead-in to the season – as starters at the second level of their defense. It will be interesting to see if a depth addition is made with special teams contributions being targeted. Regardless of how that transpires, White will turn his attention to another fresh start.

Eagles’ Devin White Addresses Backup Role

September 20th, 2024 at 5:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

Devin White was added in free agency as part of the Eagles’ efforts to rebuild at the linebacker position. The former Buccaneers Pro Bowler appeared to be on track for a starting role during the offseason, but that has not proven to be the case early in 2024.

White lost out on a first-team defensive gig to Nakobe Dean, with the Eagles counting on the 2022 third-rounder to remain healthy and take a step forward in his development. White inked a one-year deal in free agency while aiming to rebuild his value. The former top five pick lost out his starting spot at the end of his Bucs tenure, and he expected to reclaim it upon signing with Philadelphia.

“At the end of the day, that’s not my call,” White said when expressing his surprise at being a backup (via PHLY’s Zach Berman). “I’m going to do what’s asked of me and stay ready — whether that’s the last two minutes of the game or the first two minutes of the game… That’s what I came here to do, rewrite the story for my career. However that plays out, I don’t control that… Just come to work and be a pro about everything.”

An ankle injury kept the LSU product from being able to play in the season opener. He returned to full health in time for Week 2 but was a healthy scratch. White does not have extensive experience playing special teams, and it is uncommon for backup linebackers in particular to dress for games without handling third phase responsibilities. It will be interesting to see how Philadelphia proceeds with White over the coming weeks as he seeks to boost his stock ahead of the 2025 offseason.

Inconsistency against the run was an issue during his Buccaneers tenure, and it was a factor in the team’s decision not to authorize a big-money extension. White originally sought out a deal at or near the top of the LB market, but he settled for a $4MM accord with the Eagles. His market value would, of course, take a hit if he were to spend a long stretch on the sidelines and ESPN’s Dan Graziano names White as a potential trade candidate if he does not work his way into the starting lineup.

The Eagles have Dean and Zack Baun in place atop the depth chart for the time being. White joins special teamer Oren Burks and rookie Jeremiah Trotter Jr. as backup options, but it remains to be seen how he will fit into the team’s plans moving forward.

NFC East Notes: Bland, Eagles, Giants

September 10th, 2024 at 1:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys managed fine without DaRon Bland in Week 1, smothering Deshaun Watson‘s comeback effort. But the team has not gotten a chance to play Bland and Trevon Diggs together since September of last season. Bland’s IR-return designation leaves the 2023 All-Pro out of the picture until at least Week 5. While a late-August report suggested Bland could miss eight games due to the foot stress fracture he suffered, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes the Cowboys are optimistic Bland will be ready to return when first eligible.

This would be welcome news for a Cowboys team that has seen each of its preferred top three corners sustain a significant injury since 2022. Jourdan Lewis suffered a career-threatening Lisfranc injury that season, and Diggs tore an ACL in September. The latter issue moved Bland from the slot to the boundary, leading to his record-breaking five-pick-six performance last season. The Cowboys used fifth-round rookie Caelen Carson as their starter alongside Diggs in Cleveland.

Here is the latest from the NFC East:

Devin White‘s role will be one to monitor when he debuts for the Eagles. The free agency addition missed Week 1, with Nakobe Dean starting alongside Zack Baun. Dean and Baun served as Vic Fangio‘s LB regulars in the Brazil game, and while White should still have a role upon debuting, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane notes Dean beat out the former Buccaneers top-five pick for a starting job. White was believed to be on track for a starting role before camp. The Eagles had planned for Dean to be their top linebacker last season, but two IR stints — because of a foot issue — changed that plan. Dean’s injury-plagued second season, after he backed up Kyzir White and T.J. Edwards as a rookie, led to the White and Baun signings. White is coming off a disappointing Bucs season, which ended with a reduced role. After previously aiming for a top-five ILB deal in 2023, White is on a one-year, $4MM contract.
The Eagles lost four front office execs to assistant GM roles in 2022, leading Howie Roseman to rebuild his power structure. This resulted in both Alec Halaby and Jon Ferrari being elevated to the assistant GM role that had previously stood vacant despite the front office talent Roseman had stockpiled. Halaby interviewed for the Commanders and Panthers’ GM jobs during this year’s cycle, meeting about the Carolina gig twice. Ferrari should be expected to be summoned for GM meetings soon as well, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe notes (subscription required). Ferrari has been with the Eagles since 2016. Prior to the AGM bump, he worked mainly in the team’s compliance department.
Both Nick McCloud and Gunner Olszewski are expected to miss time for the Giants. McCloud, who pushed for a starting cornerback spot in training camp, sustained a knee injury that could keep him out weeks, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano notes. Olszewski sustained a groin injury and will miss extensive time. Both players re-signed on one-year deals this offseason.
Staying with the Giants, the team used 2023 third-rounder Jalin Hyatt as its No. 4 wide receiver in Week 1. Hyatt played only 16 snaps against the Vikings, with Vacchiano indicating the Tennessee alum is “clearly behind” the Malik Nabers–Wan’Dale Robinson–Darius Slayton trio. This could certainly change if the Giants considered a Slayton trade — which they did not during the offseason — but the deep threat played at least 16 snaps in 15 of his 17 rookie-year games.
The Cowboys were among the teams to create cap space recently. They restructured Terence Steele‘s contract, per ESPN.com’s Field Yates. This update creates $4.5MM in cap space for the team, one that just agreed to the most lucrative deal in NFL history (Dak Prescott‘s four-year, $240MM extension).
Josh Harris will work with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment CEO Tad Brown in running the search for the team’s next president, the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala tweets. The Commanders are searching for a successor to Jason Wright, who announced he will leave the post after the season.

LB Devin White Addresses Bucs Departure

August 10th, 2024 at 6:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

Part of the Eagles’ retooling efforts at the linebacker spot this offseason included signing Devin White. The former No. 5 pick only landed a one-year deal, but it came as little surprise when he departed the Buccaneers considering the way his Tampa Bay tenure ended.

White’s efforts to secure a top-of-the-market extension were unsuccessful, and that promoted a trade request in April. The Buccaneers did not move on, though, sticking with their plan of keeping him in the fold for 2024 on his fifth-year option. The 26-year-old began the campaign in his usual first-team role alongside Lavonte David, but a foot injury suffered in Week 3 limited his effectiveness for an extended stretch.

After being briefly sidelined, White seemed set to return to action in Week 15. He did not play, however, and reports suggested his decision not to suit up stemmed from learning K.J. Britt would retain a starting role even though White was healthy. Head coach Todd Bowles offered a denial on that front, but in any case the matter of White’s foot injury and the timeline of his return to action was a point of contention.

“A certain person wanted me to come back,” the LSU alum said during an appearance on The Pivot podcast (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). “They wanted me to come back, and I just didn’t feel like I was ready. I felt like when I came back, I would’ve [known], and he didn’t like it. He didn’t like that I wasn’t ready on his terms.”

White declined to name the member of the organization in question, but he noted it was not Bowles. He did add, however, that his spring trade request led to a change in the way he was viewed by some in the team. The issue over his decision to play at less than 100% and then delay returning to action longer than necessary (at least, in the eyes of some) compounded that point.

“It was already downhill when I asked for the trade,” the former Pro Bowler said. “Everybody loved me at first, but when I asked for the trade and tried to do what was best for me, that turned everybody against me. Not everybody, but some higher-up people.”

Leading up to free agency, Bucs general manager Jason Licht confirmed the team had other priorities to handle this offseason when asked if White – who logged a rotational role once back on the field to close out the campaign – would be retained. In the end, the latter inked an Eagles deal worth $4MM and he will spend the remainder of the offseason competing for a starting gig. With White and the Buccaneers having gone their separate ways, both parties can now start over in 2024.

Eagles LB Devin White On Track For Starting Role?

July 1st, 2024 at 3:11pm CST by Adam La Rose

Linebacker was a position of weakness for the Eagles last season, with Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow spending much of the year in a starter’s role. The position will look different in 2024, in large part due to the addition of Devin White.

The former Buccaneers top-five pick was connected to a trade request stemming from his desire for a market-topping extension. The 2023 campaign did not go according to plan for him, though, and his free agent value suffered considerably. White took a one-year deal with the Eagles which carries a base value of $4MM.

Reaching incentives on the pact will allow the 26-year-old to earn up to $3.5MM extra, and seeing a notable role on defense will obviously play a key role in that. White operated as a starter during spring workouts, as noted by Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. He did so alongside Zack Baun, another free agent signing. The former Saint made 62 appearances and 14 starts across the past four years.

White’s Buccaneers tenure included a Super Bowl victory in 2020 and a Pro Bowl nod the following year. The LSU product has frequently filled the statsheet, racking up 566 tackles and 23 sacks in five Tampa Bay seasons. Issues related to coverage and inconsistent play led to him losing his starting job to K.J. Britt down the stretch last season, and as a result it came as no surprise when he departed on the open market. White’s play in Philadelphia will play a key role in determining his value on a new Eagles pact or one sending him to a third team.

Of course, the fact that White and Baun logged starter’s reps in the spring means highly-touted 2022 draftee Nakobe Dean has ground to make up during training camp. The latter was a central figure in Georgia’s national title-winning teams, but he hardly saw any defensive usage as a rookie. Things changed last season when Dean started four games until injuries limited him to only five appearances. The 23-year-old has two years remaining on his rookie contract and his workload in 2024 could be tied to how White and Baun perform in padded practices once training camp opens.

NFC East Notes: Reddick, Eagles, Burns, Giants, Kendrick, Cowboys, Commanders

March 21st, 2024 at 6:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles signed Bryce Huff and reached a reworked agreement with Josh Sweat. Brandon Graham is coming back for what would be a record 15th season with the franchise, and Nolan Smith is going into his second season. This setup would stand to point Haason Reddick out of town, and the Eagles recently made a contract adjustment that could help facilitate a trade. The team moved Reddick’s $1MM bonus, which was scheduled for March 15, to April 1, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler.

Reddick, 29, is due a $14.25MM base salary in 2024; that amount is almost entirely nonguaranteed. The Eagles gave Reddick permission to seek a trade ahead of free agency, and while the Philadelphia native said he did not request to be moved, the team’s other decisions at edge rusher may have made that decision already. Calls have come in, and it will be interesting to see what offers emerge. A team acquiring Reddick would likely be doing so with the intent of extending him, which will impact his value. He of back-to-back double-digit sack seasons and the driving force behind Philly nearly breaking the 1984 Bears’ single-season sack record in 2022, Reddick is tied to a $15MM AAV; that ranks 19th among edge defenders.

Here is the latest from the NFC East:

On the edge rusher topic, the Giants‘ Brian Burns extension is not quite as lucrative as initially reported. While the extension can be worth up to $150MM, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes its base value checks in at $141MM with $76MM fully guaranteed. The deal will pay out $90MM over the first three years. In terms of total guarantees, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan places that number at $87.5MM. Burns’ 2024 base salary is fully guaranteed, but his 2025 and ’26 numbers are not. Burns has $10.75MM of his $22.25MM 2025 base guaranteed at signing; his $22.25MM 2026 base is guaranteed for injury. The deal features a surprisingly flat structure that does not involve void years, giving the Giants — who would have Kayvon Thibodeaux eligible for an extension in 2025 — some flexibility down the road. Burns’ $28.2MM AAV tops T.J. Watt for second among edge defenders, but his full guarantee trails the Steelers All-Pro’s $80MM figure.
The Giants created some additional cap space Thursday, moving $10MM of Dexter Lawrence‘s base salary into a signing bonus. This will free up $7.5MM in space for New York, ESPN’s Field Yates tweets. The Giants did not move all of Lawrence’s 2024 base into a bonus, potentially leaving some room in case more funds are needed. Lawrence’s $22.5MM-per-year deal runs through 2027.
Eric Kendricks agreed to a one-year, $3MM Cowboys deal, and ESPN’s Todd Archer notes he accepted a lesser offer in order to rejoin Mike Zimmer in Dallas. The longtime Vikings starter had agreed to terms with the 49ers, but a lower cost of living — albeit for a player who has made $52MM in his career — and a familiar scheme will await him in Dallas. The 49ers moved on to De’Vondre Campbell.
While Devin White‘s Eagles contract can max out at $7.5MM, the33rdTeam.com’s Ari Meirov indicates the deal’s base value comes in at $4MM ($3.5MM guaranteed). This is a staggering drop for White, who had requested the Buccaneers trade him — as he pursued a top-market ILB contract — last year. The former top-five pick will follow the likes of Kyzir White, Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow as low-cost solutions on Philly’s defensive second level.
Frankie Luvu‘s Commanders contract can max out at $36MM, but KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes the base value is $31MM. Washington is giving the productive Carolina linebacker $14.6MM guaranteed at signing. Just $2MM of Luvu’s $8.5MM 2025 base salary is fully guaranteed. Another $4.5MM locks in on April 1, 2025. Clelin Ferrell‘s one-year Commanders pact is worth $3.75MM with $3.1MM guaranteed, per Wilson, who adds $1.5MM is also available via incentives. As for DB Jeremy Reaves, Wilson adds he re-signed on a two-year, $6MM contract. The Reaves deal includes $2.7MM guaranteed. Lastly, Jeremy Chinn‘s Washington deal includes a $4.12MM base salary ($3.5MM guaranteed), via Wilson.

Eagles To Sign LB Devin White

March 14th, 2024 at 6:54pm CST by Ben Levine

As expected, Devin White won’t be returning to the Buccaneers in 2024, but the linebacker will be sticking in the NFC. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, White is signing with the Eagles.

It’s a one-year deal for the linebacker, according to Schefter. The contract has a max value of $7.5MM.

The former first-round pick had a productive first four seasons in Tampa Bay. After forcing three fumbles and scoring two touchdowns as a rookie, White followed that up with three-straight seasons of 120-plus tackles. He earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2020 after compiling nine sacks, and he added 38 tackles in three playoff games en route to a Super Bowl championship. That Super Bowl win also featured a crucial pick-six on Patrick Mahomes.

White made a Pro Bowl after finishing with a career-high 18 QB hits in 2021, and he added another 124 tackles and 5.5 sacks to his resume in 2022.

Set to play the 2023 campaign on his fifth-year option, the former fifth-overall pick sought out a massive extension last offseason. A deal didn’t materialize, and White ended up requesting a trade from the organization. Little interest was shown around the league, and White ultimately played out the 2023 campaign on his expiring contract.

The linebacker did little to increase league-wide interest with his play. He ended up splitting snaps with K.J. Britt down the stretch, and he didn’t start either of the team’s two playoff games. White finished the campaign with a career-low 83 tackles, with Pro Football Focus ranking him as the league’s third-worst linebacker in 2023.

White should have an opportunity to bounce back in Philadelphia. The team only returns a pair of inside linebackers in Nakobe Dean and Ben VanSumeren, so White should be in line for a significant role in 2024.

Bucs Unlikely To Retain LB Devin White

February 29th, 2024 at 9:45am CST by Adam La Rose

With free agency approaching, the Buccaneers have key decisions to make with several pending free agents. Linebacker Devin White is set to see his contract expire, but a new Tampa Bay agreement should not be expected.

The former fifth overall pick sought out a massive extension last offseason, and he requested a trade when talks on that front did not yield an agreement. Little interest was shown around the league, and White ultimately played out the 2023 campaign. He found himself splitting time with K.J. Britt down the stretch, however, and he did not start either of the Bucs’ postseason contests. A departure in free agency would come as no surprise at this point.

“No, we’re still trying to make some decisions on some of those other players,” general manager Jason Licht said at the Combine. “But, you know, Devin did some really good things for us throughout his career, but we’re still sorting out some things” (h/t Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times).

Indeed, the cases of quarterback Baker Mayfield, receiver Mike Evans and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. are more pressing for Licht and Co. at the moment. The latter is likely to receive the franchise tag, while talks with Mayfield are underway. Evans is the likeliest member of the trio to reach the open market, but a new Tampa deal is still very much on the team’s radar. The same is also true of linebacker Lavonte David, who plans to either continue his storied Tampa Bay career or hang up his cleats.

Especially if David were to agree to another one-year deal, the Bucs could move forward with he, Britt and 2023 fifth-rounder SirVocea Dennis at the linebacker spot. Britt racked up 15 tackles in the playoffs while holding a first-team role, something which initially took place after White was cleared to return to the lineup in December but did not immediately suit up. A lingering foot injury was at the heart of the issue, but reports indicated the former Pro Bowler declined to play upon learning he would be relegated to backup duties. Head coach Todd Bowles pushed back on that notion, and a rotation ensued the rest of the way.

White, 26, would still be one of the more intriguing linebackers on the market given his age and production. He has totaled 566 tackles, 23 sacks and six forced fumbles in five years with Tampa Bay, although his play has not reflected well with respect to PFF grades. Looking to earn back a full-time starting gig, White is on track to find himself with a new team in 2024, and the interest he commands as a free agent will be worth monitoring.

NFL Reviewing Buccaneers Devin White Injury Report Issue

December 20th, 2023 at 4:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

DECEMBER 20: The NFL is reviewing the Buccaneers’ injury report regarding White, Stroud tweets. The Bucs did not downgrade White from questionable to out, despite Bowles having doubled down on indicating the linebacker informed him before Sunday he was unable to go in Week 15.

Bowles said (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio) White was medically cleared to play but that the fifth-year linebacker “didn’t feel right” and informed the second-year HC he would be unable to suit up. Conversations lasted until Sunday morning, per Bowles, who added White did not find out he was officially inactive until the Bucs arrived at Lambeau Field. White’s foot injury has lingered for a while, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The NFL will determine if the Bucs proceeded within the rules regarding White’s status.

DECEMBER 19: Devin White‘s future in Tampa Bay was a talking point this offseason, and that appears to be the case once again. The Pro Bowl linebacker was inactive in Week 15, and questions have emerged regarding his health status and role with the team to close out the campaign.

White and the Buccaneers did not reach agreement on a long-term deal, which prompted a trade request. The former top-five pick ultimately arrived at minicamp and training camp, though, and committed to playing out the season on his $11.7MM fifth-year option. When speaking about his financial situation, White expressed a desire to remain in Tampa Bay for years to come.

A foot injury has left the 25-year-old out of the lineup since November, but he appeared to be in line to return in time for the team’s Week 15 win against the Packers. White was listed as a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday, but he did not suit up for the game. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times was among those who reported White told the team he was unable to play not due to the injury but rather because he found out K.J. Britt would remain in the starting lineup in his place.

When asked about White’s status, head coach Todd Bowles pushed back on those reports. Bowles said White informed the coaching staff of his status on Saturday morning, which would mean the injury was sufficient to keep him out of the lineup in any capacity. Over the remaining three weeks of the season, the LSU alum’s health and place in the lineup will certainly be worth watching.

“When Devin gets healthy, we’ll rotate the players and see how it goes,” Bowles said of the Bucs’ inside linebacker setup, which includes White, Britt and stalwart Lavonte David (h/t Stroud’s colleague Kristie Ackert). Britt, a fifth-round pick in 2021, has made the only three starts of his career this season. He has set a new personal mark with 24 tackles in 14 games while remaining a core special teamer.

White has filled the statsheet during his tenure, recording at least 124 stops each season between 2020-22. He has amassed 22.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two interceptions and 18 pass breakups over the course of his career, but those figures have not translated into strong PFF grades. Issues in coverage in particular have hurt White’s PFF evaluation, and Britt’s consistent play in his stead could hurt his leverage during contract talks.

White was reported to be seeking top-five compensation amongst inside linebackers, and the way in which 2023 has played out will make it difficult for him to attain that. Especially if he remains out of the lineup through the rest of the season (or returns as a rotational player, rather than a full-time starter), a departure in free agency would come as little surprise.

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