The Eagles’ efforts to reshuffle the linebacker position this season included the signing of Devin WhiteThe former No. 5 pick only received a one-year contract, but his departure from the Buccaneers was not a big surprise given the end of his tenure with Tampa Bay. 
White’s efforts to secure a top-price extension were unsuccessful, resulting in a transfer request in April. However, the Buccaneers did not proceed and stuck to their plan to keep him in the team until 2024 with his five-year option. The 26-year-old began the season in his usual first-team role alongside David Lavontebut a foot injury sustained in Week 3 limited his performance for an extended period.
After a brief rest, White appeared to be back in action in Week 15. However, he did not play, and reports suggested that his decision not to compete was due to him learning KJ Britt would retain a starting role even though White was healthy. Head coach Todd Bowles has denied this, but the question of White’s foot injury and the timing of his return to play were in any case a point of contention.
“A certain person wanted me to come back” said the LSU graduate during an appearance on The pivotal point Podcast (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). “They wanted me to come back and I just didn’t feel ready. I felt like when I came back I knew and he didn’t like that. He didn’t like that I wasn’t ready like he wanted me to be.”
White declined to name the member of the organization in question, but noted that it was not Bowles. He did add, however, that his trade request in the spring caused some team members to change how they viewed him. Questions about his decision to play at less than 100% and then delay his return to play longer than necessary (at least in the eyes of some) only exacerbated that point.
“Things were already going downhill when I asked for the exchange,” said the former Pro Bowler. “Everyone liked me at first, but when I asked for the trade and tried to do what was best for me, it turned everyone against me. Not everyone, but some people in higher positions.”
Ahead of Free Agency: General Manager of the Bucs Jason Light confirmed that the team had other priorities to deal with this offseason when asked if White – who took on a rotation role at the end of the season when he returned to the field – would be retained. In the end, the latter signed a contract with the Eagles worth $4 million and will spend the rest of the offseason battling for a starting spot. With White and the Buccaneers going their separate ways, both parties can now start fresh in 2024.
