“An Unhappy Player Who Doesn’t Want To Be There”
April 13th, 2023
NFL super insider Adam Schefter spoke with a lot of confidence this week on NFL Live.
The Devin White mess was on Schefter’s mind and lips.
For those who just returned from a WiFi-free zone in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it was reported this week that savior linebacker White asked to be traded from the Buccaneers. JoeBucsFan.com confirmed this via a One Buc Palace power broker not named Jason Licht.
Schefter did not paint White to his national audience as a player who simply wants to get paid.
“We don’t know exactly why he wants out of Tampa, but usually you follow the money and you find a pretty good reason,” Schefter said. “And the Buccaneers, who are a team in transition right now, are looking at the situation where they have an unhappy player who doesn’t want to be there.”
Presumably, cash is White’s main issue. He’s due about $11.7 million this season, the final year of his contract, and it’s beleieved he wants at least an $8 million raise and several years added to his deal.
Given Schefter’s many sources and great access, Joe was surprised to hear Schefter admit he doesn’t know exactly why White wants out. It would have been nice if Schefter included a take on how much White loves playing for Todd Bowles and his teammates, and is willing to stay in Tampa if they take care of him.
As Ira Kaufman reminded fans on his last podcast, when Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks held out of training camp for a new contract, he never requested a trade. It was all about staying Tampa and getting paid what he was worth.
Great fun ahead at the brand new Big Storm taproom in the heart of Ybor City! Upstairs in Centro Ybor with public parking all around. It’s big, bold and beautiful.
…Courtesy of Florida’s Elite Restoration, you can win $500 in our “Pick The Pick” contest, which was a huge hit at the 2021 NFL Draft party, plus another $500 in an additional contest. Hang with great Bucs fans, Ira Kaufman and Florida’s best craft beer and food.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:14 am
It’s not personal, White.
Go find your value. We’ll do our thing.
GO BUCS!!!
April 13th, 2023 at 9:16 am
If he plays for the Bucs this year, will his heart be in it?
April 13th, 2023 at 9:18 am
Dump this clown — he thinks he’s the best LB in the game, and he’s not. Obviously, being paired with LD for years didn’t have an effect on his character. Take a low 2nd, or a high 3rd and cut him loose
April 13th, 2023 at 9:19 am
He isn’t elite
Inconsistent, but he clearly does flash from time to time
I think getting money changed him
April 13th, 2023 at 9:20 am
Jason Licht is doing a press conference at 1pm today, make sure you get there early Joe to call dibs on a great seat.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:23 am
@ Bojim
If Devin White wants his $20M per season contract he better ball out in 2023…
The Bucs should force him to play then dump him like a bad habit in 2024.
He is another delusional fool just like Lamar Jackson. If a team is dumb enough to pay White $20M per they deserve what they get.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:28 am
Talk about a total distraction! We have a guy that should be in the concussion protocol demanding to be paid more than he is worth and thinking he is arguing from a position of strength. He was voted a team Captain and now turns on the very team that he is supposed to lead by example? Can you even begin to imagine the distraction he will be if we keep him? I don’t care what his stats are. He has made himself a cancer that must be removed before it metastasizes throughout the locker room. I have never seen “ negotiation” for a raise ever bungled so badly. He has written his own ticket, now get on your horse and ride off into the sunset. Enough! Trade him for a couple hundred dollars of Bang Bang shrimp and get him outta here.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:42 am
This is only a story because he is White. Yall are a bunch of haters.
But for real, here is the name yall should all be looking at KJ Britt. Problem, what problem, it was solved before it was made known.
Now leave the White man alone. He is just like all the other entitled clowns out there. No reason to fret, just accept.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:44 am
Go get paid 18-20 mil ain’t gunna happen in the bay.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:46 am
Bloweszo has overseen significant regression in Diva’s play, dotes on him like Diva is a spoiled kid, and hasn’t held him accountable for his freelancing, missed assignments, poor technique, awful pass coverage, and “being bored.” So yeah, like a spoiled brat, now Diva is acting out because he didn’t eat his meat but wants his pudding.
Addition by subtraction. He missed games due to covid during the super bowl run. Bucs won them all. Diva can go be a Cleveland Brown, or an Arizona Cardinal. Get what you can for him Jason, and good riddance to the Prissy Diva.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:47 am
Ride off into the sunset, Devin, and learn how to part with class and dignity. It will help you in the future.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:52 am
I dont blame the kid for trying to get paid. But since whoever signs him wont also be getting Lavonte to cover for him and tell him where to be, he’s going to get exposed. Some team will pay him $18million and have to hope he doesnt “get bored” in the middle of a game or season.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:53 am
If he wants out, dump him! If he has to play it will not be with his best effort. There’s plenty of linebackers in the draft, and that’s where the Bucs got him.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:58 am
The NFL is a business……teams have the right to cut players……agree or not agree on salaries…..players have the same rights…..
Pay the man or trade him…..but don’t end up getting a disgruntled player and nothing in return for him next year but a comp pick.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:59 am
Pay this man.
Here is why he wants to be traded, if he isnt going to be paid, he doesnt want his contract year to be in Bowles system that doesnt put him in adventageous positions.
Why would he play in a system that has him playing coverage on kelce not blitzing and playing run defense. another year with ‘down stats’ because the team needs him do things that dont show up on stat sheets? nah, if I have to play to prove it, i want to do it in a favorable system.
April 13th, 2023 at 10:03 am
You’re only worth what someone will pay and there is no team in the league that’s giving him $20M/year with his history of wildly inconsistent play.
I don’t see how the Bucs can keep him on the team with his toxic attitude. Maybe they can fetch a 3rd or 4th round pick.
Rashaan Evans is still available and he played well for the Falcons last year, arguably a better season than White.
Go Bucs!
April 13th, 2023 at 10:06 am
This news already seems overplayed not because it is but because I don’t think he is irreplaceable and for some reason he thinks he is. He always seemed immature to me and that’s the last thing this team needs from a “leader” post Brady era
April 13th, 2023 at 10:06 am
45 is a entitled modern day athlete that probably at some point in the past year was YELLED at by Todd Bowles and told what he needs to do to get better. 45 is the kind of mental lightweight that does not need to be on this team and he is kidding himself if he thinks that Philly is going to be his saving grace. Philly will laugh him back to LA. He could grow up and play up the $11 mil that is a gawd awfully high salary for a guy who has had 3 good games
April 13th, 2023 at 10:18 am
I definitely prefer a trade, but if he stays, he will have incentive to play hard. If he loafs and quits on the team, he will destroy his own market next year.
April 13th, 2023 at 10:29 am
No one ever accused Devin White of being smart.
April 13th, 2023 at 10:42 am
@Crack wise , Don’t Fold !! I think you said don’t Judge !! ………or is it let me act a fool , be an idiot, want privileged ( yes opposite of what is spewed) treatment, undo attention and have people ignore it !!!! Well News Flash our brain was given to us to judge and judging and talking is what gets everyone to where they are whomever and wherever they be is . Don’t ever talk and don’t ever judge and you will go no where !! Had D White been Judged harder his first attention seeking year he wouldn’t be being judged so hard now . The More we Judge the better off we will all be !!!! Free Trade, Free Market , Free Speech !!! Ask the Audience ( when not given entitlements) the Answer is very very very Seldom Wrong !! DW is using prob per his agent the best leverage he has to cash in this year before he puts more bad tackling, bad angles, poor change of direction, bad hands etc, on tape ……. Can’t take a chance on diluting his Three Game Super Bowl stretch and some players of the week accolades !! His agent sees the play in between that stuff and knows the Bucs cap situation and I’m sure ole Devi may have spent a few bucks over the last 4 years !! Sign and Trade , best for both parties !! I am confident there are some Vets that are not a fan for good reason !!
April 13th, 2023 at 10:44 am
Marine, your post hit the nail on the head. No matter what team he plays for, he needs to ball out next season if he wants to get paid. And I agree, let him play on his contract, ball out, and let him go on his merry way. The only thing that might change my mind about that is if we get better than expected trade compensation for him this year.
Crack, Britr has shown exactly nothing in terms of being a replacement for White. Say what you want about White and this current situation, but he’s a far more dynamic player than KJ.
April 13th, 2023 at 10:44 am
I would’ve taken Josh Allen over him that year. Looks like they probably should’ve.
April 13th, 2023 at 10:45 am
He was really good at over-celebrating a routine mediocre play.
April 13th, 2023 at 10:53 am
White’s most significant negative is he never just shut up and played.
His comparison to Kwon Alexander is spot-on. White is just a faster, more athletic version.
It means that he overpursued and missed tackles like Alexander, but just did it faster.
April 13th, 2023 at 10:57 am
I’d like a $20 million a year job, too. But it seems like, all those gigs are taken.
April 13th, 2023 at 11:00 am
HOF Defender Warren Sapp called him out and said to strip his captains C from his uniform. But Coach Toad Bowels looks the other way to his mental lapses, lack of focus and missed assignments due to his occasional splash plays.
If White can show consistentcy, focus and the ability to hold his assignments then the Bucs should pay him BUT he needs to get his act together and prove it in 2023. Maybe White knows his nature is playing as an undisciplined “Cowboy” and so he demands to be traded now rather than have another disappointing season.
White can Fly like an Eagle if Howie Roseman can put the picks up to get him, or Run with the Bills if Buffalo can up the ante. Belichek would have no interest in his undisciplined playing style. Steelers? Bears? Broncos? Licht is looking at offers and perhaps may take one on draft day.
Who is a good ILB at pick 19?
April 13th, 2023 at 11:00 am
Dude is butt hurt not being able to cash the checks his mouth writes. Saying sh** like “We not losing another game.” and then getting blown out. He’s not a smart or savvy player. Got overconfident from his playoff run to the SB. Got all the press and accolades and went to sleep. Hope we trade him.
April 13th, 2023 at 11:03 am
Well, ive been silent….i was one of the first promoting him big time on here during that draft year, i think starting November the year before. We got a SB out of him, so if he wants to go this route and be a little B, then adios dude!!!
April 13th, 2023 at 11:04 am
He’s not that guy
April 13th, 2023 at 11:06 am
He was always known for “not so great” coverage skills anyway…i thought he would improve there, but oh well. Use the trade to grab Trenton Simpson or the next best LB!
April 13th, 2023 at 11:07 am
Hardball. Licht needs to play all his cards here.
White has zero leverage.
If he holds out for the season, he’s still under contract in 2024.
If he comes back and plays terrible or loafs, he won’t get paid by anyone.
If he plays lights out, the Bucs will pay him, or they can tag him (same tag as Lamar – two first, right to match).
Accepting junk compensation some of you are proposing is a terrible management of assets. Licht wouldn’t be doing his job if did that.
At worst, if he walksmin 2024 and gets paid, the Bucs get a 3rd rnd comp pick. That’s where the negotiations should start.
April 13th, 2023 at 11:12 am
Thanks for your services mr white but I’ll take draft pics and more salary cap! We have bigger issues than worrying about a middle linebacker who doesn’t want to play here…let’s find a decent pass rusher or tackle us FA with monies and draft to make strength of team stronger..I.E best available safety corner or running back
April 13th, 2023 at 11:20 am
White is very immature and throwing tantrum. Let him pout, the Bucs have all the leverage.
April 13th, 2023 at 11:23 am
This is exactly why, as I get older I distance myself more from sports.
He’s set to make 11 MILLION and wants an 8 MILL RAISE.
HE PLAYED LIKE SH** LAST YEAR!
Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out.
April 13th, 2023 at 11:24 am
Regardless of what side of the fence you are on with Devin and his requesting to be traded
A Bucs D without him next year will be worse, not better. It’s as simple as that.
April 13th, 2023 at 11:36 am
Lol how you exit is also part of your worth. These kinds of situations turn funny fast. I’m OK with trading if the worth is matched.
April 13th, 2023 at 11:44 am
Stormy brings up the point I know I missed. If he sits out, it doesn’t count, so he is still obligated for the final year of his rookie contract. Hahaha. Sucks to be a prissy diva biotch, doesn’t it, Diva?!
April 13th, 2023 at 11:46 am
If he is a slacker for the Bucs this season, his career is over. He will be the kind of toxic player that even the Raiders won’t want him.
I hope he has brains enough to see that, but I have my doubts.
April 13th, 2023 at 11:49 am
@ Steven007
I wonder if we could trade one disgruntled player for another?
RB – S. Barkley is not happy in NY and will not sign his franchise tender… I wonder how he would look in a Bucs uniform?
We had the worst running game in the NFL last season. Even with the rebuilt knee SB is still a stud.
April 13th, 2023 at 12:04 pm
Can someone put Eckwood’s post into the dialectizer? It might help decode the message.
April 13th, 2023 at 12:19 pm
They should let his agent shop him at this point.
April 13th, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Change your hair color to red Devin and maybe John Lynch will take you off our hands for a decent draft pick.
April 13th, 2023 at 12:23 pm
Trade him off to Houston. Get him OUT!
April 13th, 2023 at 12:35 pm
I wish I was struggling by on just 11mil.
Big salaries hurt your championship chances. I’m not sure why more players don’t realise that.
April 13th, 2023 at 12:40 pm
I see this coming to a head on draft night. They obviously aren’t willing to extend him, and so far nobody has coughed up a 2. Chiefs and eagles are the two likely landing spots imo.
April 13th, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Adios. Can’t believe a lot of you don’t see this stuff coming. White said before he was in the NFL he wanted to be the highest paid LB ever. Before he ever took a snap. No chance then or now. The plays gota match the pay kiddo. Buh bye
April 13th, 2023 at 12:45 pm
2nd and 5th round extra picks for him. Save 11.5 mil cap space. Draft LB in 2nd and our team becomes a little younger with more to work with for the future. Love you Devin but if you’re unhappy, you disrupt the moral. We need this team to be hungry for a legacy. Also we would gain a compensatory pick next year.
April 13th, 2023 at 1:20 pm
An unhappy diva is not a foundation to build a team upon. Give Phili White and the 19th pick in exchange for their 10th and 93rd picks.
April 13th, 2023 at 1:36 pm
In 1971, Duane Thomas called his GM deceitful, called his player personnel director a liar and called his coach a plastic man…no man at all.
Then he had an All Pro season and won the Super Bowl with the Cowboys.
April 13th, 2023 at 1:42 pm
Can we get a 2nd and a 4th rd pick for him? If so, lets move on. He does not want to be here. Had he used his brains, he could just ball out this season and be in a great position with leverage for 2024.Salary wise, he is right where he needs to be. He is not great. Not even close. Lets get what we can and move on.
April 13th, 2023 at 2:00 pm
I don’t like players that suddenly have career years only in a contract year.
TRADE HIM NOW. Dude is a major cancer and is barely average.
Good riddance.
April 13th, 2023 at 2:44 pm
Release him. Too expensive for a LB that does not know how to tackle and always out of position. I can’t forget that missed tackle on Mahommes….. what a shame.
April 13th, 2023 at 2:51 pm
i have a problem with a player that is due $11m this season and he can’t be satisfied with that until salary cap problems clear.
April 13th, 2023 at 2:55 pm
Trade him to the Raiders where all big ego ME type players go and fade away… such a sad example of selfish player who seems to really think highly of himself with no honest refliection on how he can and SHOULD improve prior to EARNING the fat contract. Go get some players and or draft capital Jason!
April 13th, 2023 at 3:18 pm
Trade him to the Foreskins for a 3rd rd pick… See how he likes life up in the completely dysfunctional “nations capitol”…
I was concerned the Bucs were already paying too much for White this year at the $11.7M figure. But now he wants out of town because he’s not getting a big raise???
LD54 outplayed White last year but took a big pay cut to stay a Buccaneer.
How bout that for a glaring contrast….
April 13th, 2023 at 4:29 pm
Excellent post Pickgrin! Get him out of here.
April 13th, 2023 at 5:27 pm
Next year Wirfs 5th year option 18k, Winfield last year get paid 16k, White last year 20k. Team full of multi millionaires with no quarterback.
April 13th, 2023 at 8:00 pm
‘White one of only 2 linebackers in the modern era of the nfl, the other being Brian erlacker that has recorded 400 hundred tackles and 20 sacks in his first four years’.
And to think all the clowns here haven’t a clue and disregard such trivial facts.
April 13th, 2023 at 9:00 pm
I am going to cherry pick a stat to defend a horrible position
PFF rating for D white 45.5
PFF rating for R SMITH 70.5
April 13th, 2023 at 9:59 pm
Devin White isn’t a bump on DB55’s rearend. Brooks is a very intelligent and worldly gentleman. He’s careful with his words, actions and exudes Class in everything he does. White? Not so much, but he helped us win a Lombardi and hasn’t played well since.
April 13th, 2023 at 10:27 pm
Licht knows what he’s doing. There is no way in the world you have a malcontent in the locker room. You do however patiently wait for the right opportunity to trade him. You don’t publicly request a trade after justifying givving the Bucs the deuce on social media. The worst part is the dumb arse explanation he gave. That was weak and embarrassing Devin. Man up and say you want out or man up and say you want to get paid but that was toddleresque. In fact, the more I think about it, on the merit of that stupidity alone we need to get what we can and move on. If it’s a ham and cheese sandwhich, then bring the mustard.
April 13th, 2023 at 10:29 pm
No thank you to a Saquon Barkley trade, he was already making 10 M and was offered 12.5 and turned it down. We need to be more like the Chiefs and identify good talent at RB in the draft and then let them move on to get paid someplace else.
April 14th, 2023 at 2:22 am
Let him go. I hope it’s an ice box like Green Bay. My fear is contagion. Is there some sort of locker room problem? I hope not. Let’s think positive. Go Baker! Go Bucs!
April 14th, 2023 at 2:48 am
Maybe they moved his locker to the othr end of the locker room and the Diva is Pissed? At this point his reasons son’t matter to me!