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LB Devin White Addresses Trade Request, Buccaneers Future

August 7th, 2023 at 2:08pm CST by Adam La Rose

After failing to work out an extension this offseason, Devin White requested a trade from the Buccaneers. When addressing the media for the first time since then, the linebacker confirmed he has reversed course on that front and hopes to remain in Tampa Bay for the long haul.

The Buccaneers, to no surprise, made it clear they would not entertain offers for the former fifth overall pick, though not much of a trade market is believed to have emerged. Contract talks were at the heart of White’s impasse with Tampa, with the 25-year-old thought to be seeking an extension which would place him in the top five amongst inside linebackers in terms of annual compensation.

White arrived at Buccaneers minicamp, but did not participate. He is now slated to move forward with training camp practices despite not having in deal in place, however. The LSU alum is slated to earn $11.7MM in 2023 on the fifth-year option, but his future beyond this season is up in the air.

“I just wanted to be the guy here for a long time,” White said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “After really just sitting down with Coach [Todd] Bowles and [GM] Jason Licht and just understanding their plan for me, what they’ve got in play and coming up with something with those guys and seeing how I could be better. And moving forward, I think we all came to a good agreement, and that’s why I’m here, just focusing on the season now.”

White’s trade request was a key talking point during a Bucs offseason in which the team was faced with retaining as many incumbents as possible (especially on defense) despite being in a financial bind. Fellow inside linebacker Lavonte David was re-upped on a one-year deal, and White named the former All-Pro as an example he would like to follow over the course of a lengthy tenure in Tampa Bay.

“I don’t think there’s any regret, and I don’t think it’s just about being paid,” the latter said when asked about his handling of the trade request. “I just want to be a long-term guy, you know? I just want to be a guy like Lavonte. He’s been here forever. I wanted to be that next guy. And, you know, we just didn’t make it happen when I wanted to, and that’s why I kind of got a little selfish, even though I knew I still have the option that was sitting in place.”

White – who has filled the statsheet during his career but drawn underwhelming reviews in terms of advanced metrics – will be counted on as a key member of a Buccaneers team which will likely need to lean heavily on its defense to have success in 2023. With his trade request now in the rearview, team and player will attempt to move forward and find a long-term contract resolution down the road.

NFC South Notes: White, Falcons, Saints

June 16th, 2023 at 11:58am CST by Sam Robinson

Weeks after making a trade request, Devin White showed for Buccaneers minicamp this week. This was the expected outcome, but the talented linebacker did not participate. Still, Todd Bowles did not refer to this as a hold-in measure. The second-year Tampa Bay HC said (via ESPN’s Jenna Laine) the team wanted to gauge White’s readiness, though it is unclear if the former top-five pick is dealing with a specific injury. Bowles said he expects White to be ready to go for training camp. Though, that could be when a hold-in effort takes place in earnest. White, who avoided nearly $100K in fines by reporting to minicamp, is tied to an $11.7MM fifth-year option salary. Although White wants top-five ILB money and has not yet seen the Bucs show interest in signing off on such an extension, team brass said multiple times this offseason no trade desire exists on the organization’s part.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

  • It appears the Falcons‘ big-ticket Jessie Bates acquisition will displace Jaylinn Hawkins. After the former fourth-round pick started 16 games last season, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter notes it will likely be Bates teaming with Richie Grant — a 17-game starter in 2022 — this year. Pro Football Focus’ No. 66 safety last season, Hawkins may factor in when the team uses three-safety looks. But a contract-year demotion looks set to commence.
  • Falcons defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham missed last season’s final seven games due a full MCL tear, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com tweets. After not participating in OTAs, the third-year defender was back on the field at minicamp. Like Hawkins, Graham might see the Falcons’ free agency moves affect his role. The team signed David Onyemata and Calais Campbell, and Eddie Goldman is attempting to return after a 2022 retirement call. Goldman, however, did not work with the team during minicamp.
  • Trevor Penning already underwent surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury sustained in Week 18. While the Saints tackle is expected to be ready for training camp, NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan notes he is undergoing a second procedure Friday to remove hardware from the repaired foot. Penning started just one game as a rookie, seeing another injury — a torn foot ligament — delay his NFL debut by nearly three months. But the 2022 first-round pick is on track to be New Orleans’ Week 1 left tackle starter this year. James Hurst, the team’s primary blind-sider last season, shared first-team duties with third-year blocker Landon Young at minicamp.
  • After spending the past two seasons as a Saints staffer, Sterling Moore will not be with the team going forward. The Saints dismissed the former cornerback from their staff, NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill tweets. Moore worked as New Orleans’ assistant DBs coach last season. Moore, 33, started 12 games for the Saints in 2016 and played two seasons with the team. The Saints hired a new defensive coordinator this offseason — Joe Woods — but it is unclear if that move will directly lead to Moore’s summer exit.
  • The Saints made an addition to their scouting department recently, with InsidetheLeague.com’s Neil Stratton relaying (via Twitter) the team hired former Louisiana Tech staffer Ziad Qubti as their college scouting coordinator. This will be Qubti’s first NFL gig.

Buccaneers Expect LB Devin White To Attend Minicamp

May 26th, 2023 at 5:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

Devin White drew headlines when he requested a trade earlier this offseason. As a result, it comes as no surprise that the Pro Bowl linebacker is currently absent from the Buccaneers’ OTAs. His absence may not extend into next month, though.

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Tampa Bay expects White to attend mandatory minicamp. Refusing to do so would result in cumulative fines for the 25-year-old, particularly if any hypothetical holdout were to last into training camp. His future with the Buccaneers has been in question since contract talks stalled to the point of White’s trade request going public.

The former No. 5 pick is reportedly seeking a deal which would put him amongst the league’s highest-paid middle linebackers. Establishing White’s value could be difficult for Tampa, considering the disparity in his performance when comparing counting stats with his advanced metrics evaluations. The LSU product has racked up 483 tackles and 20.5 sacks in four seasons, but his PFF ratings have ranged between 36.2 and 51.9 over that span.

White is set to earn $11.7MM in 2023 on the fifth-year option. That figure comes in well short of his asking price on a long-term extension, and the fact that he is only on the books for one more year has discouraged teams from inquiring about his availability. Unsurprisingly, the Buccaneers have remained committed to retaining White through what could be a multi-year transition period.

White remaining absent until mid-June would put him in line with the situation Austin Ekeler found himself in with the Chargers until recently. Shortly after the latter’s team stated their intention of having the running back at minicamp, he agreed to a new deal which put the uncertainty surrounding his immediate future to rest. Whether or not the Bucs can do the same with White this offseason will be a storyline to watch in the next few weeks in particular.

Buccaneers Have Not Received Calls On LB Devin White

April 27th, 2023 at 2:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

After negotiations on a long-term deal failed to produce an agreement, Buccaneers linebacker Devin White asked to be traded. More than two weeks after that development, Tampa Bay has yet to receive any interest on that front.

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that teams have yet to make any inquiries on the availability of the former fifth overall pick. White, 25, is due to play on the fifth-year option in 2023 at a cost of $11.7MM. Being under contract for only one season would, of course, make it difficult for the Buccaneers to get fair value back in a trade, but his asking price on an extension represents another obstacle.

White is reportedly seeking between $18MM and $20MM per season on a long-term deal, which would place him in the top five in annual compensation amongst middle linebackers. To little surprise, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht made it clear the team has no intention of moving on this offseason. That stance is easier to hold firm on in the absence of trade offers, and it is being echoed by head coach Todd Bowles.

“We got him onboard another year like Jason Licht said,” Bowles said, via Stroud. “We discussed it. We know we’re not trading him and we’ll go from there. We know it’s the offseason right now so nothing counts and we’re expecting him to be there when the season starts.”

White had another highly productive campaign in 2022 in terms of tackles (124) and sacks (5.5), but his issues with consistency and pass coverage persisted. He will still be in line for a large workload alongside veteran Lavonte David if he remains with the team in 2023, though, making him a crucial part of the team’s long-term plans. David signed a one-year deal this offseason, and is approaching his age-33 season, so White is likely to be counted on to fill the void of his absence in the near future.

Tampa Bay is also entering this weekend’s draft with the need to get younger at a number of positions; trading away White would create another notable roster hole. On the other hand, the Buccaneers hold nine selections, meaning they would have several opportunities to add a rookie linebacker if an interested suitor for White were to emerge. As of now, though, that appears unlikely to take place.

Devin White Seeking At Least $18MM Per Year?

April 13th, 2023 at 4:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

After C.J. Mosley reset the off-ball linebacker market in 2019, it has stabilized a bit in recent years. But Roquan Smith recently moved it to $20MM on average, signing a five-year deal worth $100MM weeks after being traded to the Ravens. This contract looks to be affecting the Buccaneers.

Devin White requested a trade this week, and while the Bucs are not entertaining offers right now, the fifth-year linebacker is believed to be “fed up” with the team’s negotiating efforts, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports. White, whose production and advanced metrics grades create a foggy perception of his value, is aiming high in his second-contract ask. The former No. 5 overall pick is seeking a deal worth between $18-$20MM per year, according to Laine.

That would place White in the top five at the position. Tremaine Edmunds received $18MM per year from the Bears last month, though the former first-rounder had free agency leverage. Smith also possessed unique leverage in Baltimore, being on the cusp of free agency due to the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson situation mandating a franchise tag. Shaquille Leonard and Fred Warner are the other linebackers earning at least $18MM on average, with Mosley’s $17MM-AAV accord in fifth place at the position.

“We all have all the respect in the world for Devin,” Bucs GM Jason Licht said Thursday. “He’s done some great things for us, and we look forward to more from him in the future. … If he has the type of year we think he’s capable of, we can hopefully put this to rest and everybody’s happy.

“[The trade request] isn’t something I’m holding against Devin. I still feel he’s a tremendous person. I would never say he’s not the type of teammate we want because of this.”

The salary cap has climbed to the point White, 25, would not be out of step asking for such a contract, seeing as Mosley signed his market-disrupting Jets deal in 2019 and Warner ($19MM AAV) and Leonard ($19.7MM) signed their extensions in 2021. But White is not coming off an especially strong season, similar production notwithstanding. Pro Football Focus, long a White skeptic, ranked the LSU product near the bottom among off-ball ‘backers in both 2021 and 2022. Todd Bowles also addressed the topic of White loafing on plays last season. The rookie Bucs HC defended the linebacker and did not demote him, but while Smith and Edmunds enjoyed quality contract years, White’s fourth season — a rough Bucs slate on just about every level — left a bit to be desired.

Only one other off-ball linebacker (the Jaguars’ Foye Oluokun) earns at least $15MM on average. It is not known what the Bucs have offered, but a gap may have formed ahead of White’s trade request. White is one of the best pass-rushing ILBs in recent NFL history, accumulating 20.5 sacks as a pro, and is coming off three straight seasons with 120-plus tackles. The longtime Lavonte David apprentice played a central role in the Bucs’ defense backing the Brady-piloted Super Bowl run in 2020. But the Bucs, per Laine, want to see more from White, who has lacked consistency.

The Bucs re-signed David and Jamel Dean, doing so after giving lucrative extensions to Shaq Barrett and Carlton Davis. They also re-upped Vita Vea, making him the league’s highest-paid nose tackle. These deals also stand to complicate Bucs-White talks. Like the Bears last year, the Bucs probably do not have the franchise tag in their back pocket for White. With all linebackers grouped together on the tag, a 2024 tag will come in north of $20MM. That raises the stakes for 2023 negotiations.

Buccaneers LB Devin White Requests Trade

April 11th, 2023 at 10:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Devin White is set to play on his fifth-year option in 2023, but he may not do so in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers linebacker has requested a trade, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine (Twitter link).

Laine’s colleague Adam Schefter tweets, to no surprise, that Tampa has no intention of moving the former fifth overall pick. White has operated as a full-time starter throughout his four-year tenure with the Bucs, and has a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro nomination to his name. White’s option checks in at $11.7MM.

As is often the case, this trade request stems from frustration with contract talks. Negotiations have not gained traction, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter). White, 25, is not eligible for free agency until 2024, due to the Bucs exercising his fifth-year option in May 2023. And the off-ball linebacker market has seen some notable developments this year.

Two teams — the Ravens and Bears — authorized top-five contracts at the position in 2023. Following a fall trade, Roquan Smith secured a $20MM-per-year deal with Baltimore to set the market at the position. In the early hours of this year’s legal tampering period, Tremaine Edmunds agreed to an $18MM-AAV pact with the Bears. That deal sits fourth among ILBs. Considering C.J. Mosley‘s Jets contract — a $17MM-per-year accord that changed the positional market — was finalized in 2019, it will likely take top-five money here for White to sign a second Bucs deal.

A noticeable gap between White’s production and Pro Football Focus grades has been in place for years. While White has generally been regarded as an upper-echelon off-ball ‘backer, PFF has consistently disagreed with that perception. The advanced metrics site, while steadily rating Lavonte David as one of the game’s best, has viewed White far off that tier. White has never carried a PFF grade north of 60th among linebackers. Over the past two seasons, the former No. 5 overall pick has rated outside the top 70. The site has annually viewed the LSU product’s coverage and run-defense abilities as lacking, with pass-rushing production (20.5 career sacks) propping up his grades.

Traditional numbers suggest the sideline-to-sideline playmaker resides among the game’s better linebackers. During Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV-winning season, White totaled a career-high 140 tackles and added a staggering nine sacks and 16 quarterback hits. White has surpassed the 120-tackle plateau in each of the past two years, not missing a game. White added two forced fumbles last season and finished with eight tackles for loss for the second straight year. This included an emotional performance that came shortly after White’s father died just before the Bucs’ Germany game.

The Bucs made White the highest non-rush linebacker draftee since 2009, drafting him to play in Todd Bowles‘ defense. The fit has not always been perfect, as accusations of loafing on plays emerged during the Bucs’ underwhelming 2022. Bowles defended White and did not demote him; White has played at least 95% of the Bucs’ defensive plays in each of the past three seasons. But it is worth wondering how the organization views the young defender through a long-term lens.

Tampa Bay re-signed David to a fourth contract and, despite being more than $50MM over the cap weeks ahead of free agency, found room to bring back Jamel Dean, who was drafted two rounds after White in 2019. Several vets from the Bucs’ Super Bowl defense remain on the team, and the organization wanting White back will limit his options. The 2020 CBA’s holdout restrictions further limit contracted players’ options, as even medium-length camp holdouts threaten to delay a player’s free agency. We are months away from camp, however, and this trade request obviously will make for a more interesting offseason for the Bucs.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

2023 NFL Fifth-Year Option Results

May 3rd, 2022 at 9:17am CST by Zachary Links

Monday marked the deadline for NFL clubs to officially pick up their options on 2019 first-rounders. Fifth-year option seasons are no longer just guaranteed for injury — they’re now fully guaranteed, which makes these decisions a little tougher for teams.

Nineteen players had their options exercised, a tick up from 14 last year. Here’s the full rundown:

1. QB Kyler Murray, Cardinals – Exercised ($29.7MM)
2. DE Nick Bosa, 49ers: Exercised ($17.9MM)
3. DE Quinnen Williams, Jets: Exercised ($11.5MM)
4. DE Clelin Ferrell, Raiders: Declined ($11.5MM)
5. LB Devin White, Buccaneers: Exercised ($11.7MM)
6. QB Daniel Jones, Giants: Declined ($22.4MM)
7. DE Josh Allen, Jaguars: Exercised ($11.5MM)
8. TE T.J. Hockenson, Lions: Exercised ($9.4MM)
9. DT Ed Oliver, Bills: Exercised ($10.8MM)
10. LB Devin Bush, Steelers: Declined ($10.9MM)
11. OT Jonah Williams, Bengals: Exercised ($12.6MM)
12. LB Rashan Gary, Packers: Exercised ($10.9MM)
13. DT Christian Wilkins, Dolphins: Exercised ($10.8MM)
14. G Chris Lindstrom, Falcons: Exercised ($13.2MM)
15. QB Dwayne Haskins:
16. DE Brian Burns, Panthers: Exercised ($16MM)
17. DT Dexter Lawrence, Giants: Exercised ($10.8MM)
18. C Garrett Bradbury, Vikings: Declined ($13.2MM)
19. DT Jeffery Simmons, Titans: Exercised ($10.8MM)
20. TE Noah Fant, Seahawks: Exercised ($6.9MM; originally drafted by Broncos)
21. S Darnell Savage, Packers: Exercised ($7.9MM)
22. OT Andre Dillard, Eagles: Declined ($12.6MM)
23. OT Tytus Howard, Texans: Exercised ($13.2MM)
24. RB Josh Jacobs, Raiders: Declined ($8MM)
25. WR Marquise Brown, Cardinals: ($13.4MM; originally drafted by Ravens)
26. DE Montez Sweat, Commanders: Exercised ($11.5MM)
27. S Johnathan Abram, Raiders: Declined ($7.9MM)
28. DE Jerry Tillery, Chargers: Declined ($11.5MM)
29. DE L.J. Collier, Seahawks: Declined ($11.5MM)
30. CB Deandre Baker — N/A (released by Giants)
31. OT Kaleb McGary, Falcons: Declined ($13.2MM)
32. WR N’Keal Harry, Patriots: Declined ($12.4MM)

Bucs To Pick Up Devin White’s Option

April 27th, 2022 at 9:56am CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers will pick up Devin White‘s fifth-year option (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). With that, the linebacker is now set to make a fully-guaranteed $11.7MM in 2023.

[RELATED: Brady’s Contract Restructure Includes No-Tag Clause]

White, the No. 5 overall pick in 2019, was set to enter the final year of his four-year, $29.3MM rookie deal. There was no chance that the Bucs would let him get away after his Pro Bowl season. White notched 128 stops and 3.5 sacks, helping the Bucs finish as a top-five defense in points allowed.

White has been a starter throughout his career, dating back to his 91-tackle rookie campaign. All in all, he’s got 359 tackles, 15 sacks, four forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and one interception to his credit. Meanwhile, he just celebrated his 24th birthday in February. The Buccaneers will work to sign White to an even longer deal down the road. But, for now, they’ve got him locked in for another two seasons.

Teams have until May 2nd to exercise their options for 2019 first-round picks. Some decisions will be tough, now that the fifth-year option is fully-guaranteed rather than just guaranteed-for-injury. For Bucs GM Jason Licht, this one was a no-brainer.

Saints To Sign WR Kevin White

August 17th, 2021 at 4:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Shortly after the 49ers cut Kevin White, the former top-10 pick found a new home. The Saints are signing the veteran wide receiver, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

White participated in a Saints workout Tuesday, joining fellow wideouts Bennie Fowler, Devin White and Malachi Dupre. Reeling at wide receiver, New Orleans will give White another opportunity.

The West Virginia product played in three 49ers games last season but has not made a regular-season reception since 2018. White, 28, battled injuries throughout his Bears tenure and later caught on with the Cardinals and 49ers. San Francisco cut White last week. Despite their injury issues at wideout, the Saints will give one of the NFL’s most injury-prone players a chance to help fill this void.

New Orleans is expected to be without Michael Thomas for months, and would-be starter Tre’Quan Smith just returned to practice Tuesday after missing two weeks due to a leg injury. The Saints released Emmanuel Sanders this offseason and did not heavily address the receiver position in the draft, which has helped put former UDFA Marquez Callaway in a strong position to contribute this season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/11/21

January 11th, 2021 at 4:36pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor transactions:

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Football Team

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