Bucs LB Devin White Requests Trade

Bucs linebacker Devin White has requested a commerce, Pewter Report has confirmed. ESPN’s Jenna Laine was first to report the information, whereas ESPN’s Adam Schefter and The Rating’s Jordan Schultz quickly adopted.

Laine later reported {that a} supply stated White is “fed up” and has grow to be more and more pissed off along with his state of affairs in Tampa, although there was on clarification or specifics on the reason for these emotions. There’s cause to imagine it could possibly be contract-related, in fact.

White, who was by the Bucs with the No. 5 total choose within the 2019 Draft, is ready to play the 2023 season on his fifth-year choice. He would then be due for an enormous second contract subsequent offseason. The timing of his commerce request and the context supplied by the report would doubtless point out that he both desires that deal now or progress towards a possible cope with the Bucs doesn’t look promising.

White desires to be a $100 million linebacker and whereas an extension would doubtless decrease his cap hit for this season, maybe the Bucs are ready to determine if he’s price such an funding.

White has flashed indicators of brilliance at completely different factors of his profession and performed a key position within the Bucs’ Tremendous Bowl LV run. He recovered a fumble and intercepted Drew Brees in an NFC Divisional Spherical win over the Saints and later intercepted Patrick Mahomes to maintain the Chiefs out of the tip zone within the Tremendous Bowl, which Tampa Bay received 31-9.

White had some points with consistency in the course of the 2021 season, although that season noticed him earn his first Professional Bowl choice. Then, in 2022, it was rather more of an up-and-down yr for the speedy linebacker, and he got here underneath hearth in the course of the season for some poor play. He was struggling to get off blocks and making some pricey errors, which damage the Bucs protection. To his credit score, he cleaned his sport up and performed higher down the stretch of the season.

Devin White Beforehand Hinted At Shifting On Earlier This Offseason

It seems as if this current commerce request has been brewing for a while, as Devin White beforehand posted a cryptic message on social media earlier this offseason. He took to Instagram with some photos and captions that seemingly hinted he was saying goodbye to Tampa Bay.

The primary screenshot was an image of White lacing up cleats within the locker room with the caption: “Thank Ya 🏴‍☠️ ✌🏾.” That seemed to be a “peace out, Bucs” or a “thanks” of kinds to the staff and its followers. The second screenshot was an image of an indication that learn: “God isn’t asking you to determine it out. He’s asking you to belief that he already has.” Beneath the signal was a caption that learn: “Subsequent Cease 🏁”

The third publish learn, “4 yr glided by quick … 🦍”

After these posts circulated on Twitter, White commented on them and defined them away as him reflecting on the 4 years he had spent with the Bucs to this point.

Had been these captions a sign that Devin White was angling for a commerce again in March? With Tuesday’s reviews, it’s no less than attainable. These posts, nonetheless, got here simply days after Bucs head coach Todd Bowles heaped plenty of reward on his star linebacker.

Bucs Presently Lack Depth To Make Up For Potential Devin White Commerce

As up-and-down as Devin White has been during the last couple of seasons, it could make sense that the Bucs don’t need to commerce him, as Schefter reported. Tampa Bay could be wanting to attend and see if he’s definitely worth the contract he desires, however the staff because it stands proper now would seem to want him in 2023. That’s as a result of the within linebacker place is extremely skinny behind the beginning duo.

The Bucs bought an enormous free company win by re-signing longtime captain and staff legend Lavonte David to a one-year deal final month, and that transfer appeared to lock within the dynamic duo at linebacker that Tampa Bay has fielded since 2019. But when White’s commerce request is granted, it leaves issues very open in that room. David would have a brand new working mate for the primary time in 5 years, and there’s nothing that Ok.J. Britt or J.J. Russell have achieved to indicate that they’d be prepared for a beginning position.

If the Bucs have been to maneuver on from Devin White, inside linebacker would then grow to be a serious want on this month’s draft. On the very least, there can be a brand new want for a stopgap sort of participant to be added on an inexpensive deal in free company. The staff already has important holes at offensive deal with and security, plus it wants some added assist for its cross rush and tight finish room. Including “beginning linebacker” to the wants checklist can be robust for Tampa Bay, although maybe any ensuing draft choose compensation from a hypothetical commerce would give them a greater probability of filling that gap.

The Bucs could not need to commerce Devin White, however the linebacker has eliminated his profile photos on Twitter and Instagram, one thing that has grow to be commonplace for athletes who’re sad with their present groups. We’ll see if something comes of it, however the Bucs’ brass now has yet one more massive resolution to make in an offseason filled with them.