BSPN: Devin White’s Best Fit May Not Be With Bucs
June 6th, 2023
Trade status.
The Bucs are between a rock and a hard place.
Devin White, who went from total Bucs warrior and absolute gamewrecker to a lineebacker called out by a Hall of Famer on social media for loafing in the span of less than two years, is demanding more bread. Many tens of millions.
Whether White will show up to mandatory minicamp next week is unclear. He’s blown off voluntary OTAs. Earlier this spring he teed off on the Bucs on Instagram demanding a trade because the Bucs wouldn’t extend his contract.
NFL analyst Matt Bowen of BSPN believes White’s next paycheck may come from another team from the Titans.
Though Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has stated he had no “intention” of trading White, that option is on the table until White agrees to a new contract.
Bowen smells a trade coming.
Best team fit in a trade: Tennessee Titans
White, who requested a trade in April, didn’t play his best football in 2022, but his downhill acceleration and pursuit range would fit in Tennessee. Paired with free agent addition Azeez Al-Shaair, the Titans would have two stack linebackers with the traits to track the ball in the run game, pressure and roam the second level in passing situations.
The Titans have some salary cap issues — White would want a new contract from the team that trades for him — but they could figure out a way to give him a deal.
Joe cannot figure White out. Joe can forgive a guy for dragging tail late in a lost game. But White committed his cardinal sin in a one-score game — on national television in primetime when the Bucs were tooth-and-nail fighting for a playoff berth.
Those circumstances may have been why Warren Sapp took to Instagram and demanded the Bucs rip the “‘C’ off White’s chest” for loafing.
Because of White’s declining play the past two seasons, and Sapp shaming him for the world to see on social media, Joe cannot imagine there is much of a market for White.
So Licht is sort of stuck. He has a disgruntled player who may be physically declining, and Licht also knows he likely wouldn’t get fair trade value for White because of all the drama.
Meanwhile, TikTok video shows White looking content these days riding his horsies.
June 6th, 2023 at 2:57 am
“a disgruntled player who may be physically declining”
What?? Physically declining? Thats out of left field….
Mentally declining – sure (as in out of touch with reality) but physically?
White just turned 25…. His “prime” as a player should be the next 3-4 years.
White is as athletic as they come – and a good player no doubt – yet still has a number of holes in his game and frankly is no where near the “complete” LBer that LD54 has been consistently since his 2nd year in the league.
White is actually a bit overpaid this year at $11.7M based on what he’s put on tape the last two seasons. And yet somehow believes he’s due a big raise before he plays another down…. LOL
Any trade offer less than a 2nd rd pick is of no great benefit to the Bucs as they can simply let him play out his 5th year option and then let Devin walk if the asking price is still deemed too much and just collect the 3rd round comp pick.
White has no options here. He can’t demand anything! He must ball out and show improvement this year for the Buccaneers if that’s what Licht chooses or NO TEAM will be willing to pay him much more than a short term “prove it” deal in 2024.
June 6th, 2023 at 4:12 am
wow DW is actually between a rock (his head) and a hard place (his head) 🙂
June 6th, 2023 at 4:50 am
The D in Devin stands for Doosh……
June 6th, 2023 at 5:46 am
If the dude doesn’t want to be a part of the organization, move him and then replace him with someone who does. Poor attitudes have a tendency to spread to others
June 6th, 2023 at 6:39 am
When’s the last time this guy had an interception?
June 6th, 2023 at 6:47 am
Don’t let the barn door hit his horses arse on it’s way out of town. The NFL is a business, but it’s not White’s time to do business. His agent needs to tell him how the CBA works, and what his none options are on his 5th year. Dude is stuck. If I’m the Bucs, I’d give his agent permission to find a trade partner.
June 6th, 2023 at 7:13 am
For me, part of the blame should go to Bowles…….I believe Bowles committed coaching malpractice when he didn’t call White out for lackluster play…..and then called him one of the best two players on defense…..without a new contract.
Remember White making the comment about being “bored”….I think the Atlanta game…..Bowles should have been on that like a dog on a bone.
June 6th, 2023 at 7:16 am
Bye bye
June 6th, 2023 at 7:24 am
Another slow-day, short-bus national idiot article review. The Titans are his next landing spot but, they have cap issues!? Makes sense;/
Their head coach is an old-school, hard-nosed former LB & Belacheat disciple. He has seen Devin’s tape & feels the same way Sapp & the vast majority of the rest of us do. Don’t think for a moment that Devin will get the “C” there, either.
June 6th, 2023 at 8:04 am
How are the Bucs the ones between a rock and a hard place? All predictions are they will stink this season. How will an unmotivated player make it worse? Agree with a previous post stating the rock is White’s head. Throw it out there that the Bucs will entertain offers and see what happens. The worst that can happen is the Bucs say no.
June 6th, 2023 at 8:28 am
I’ll take Sapp’s insight over any other media person. He’s played at a HOF level. He’s won a SB. He’s carried a Defense.
If Sapp says DW loafs, he loafs. Ship him to whomever. His trade value is not great. He’s going to want money so whomever he goes to either has to be willing to pay it or will only be willing to render a one year pick.
The HC needs to get out front and tell the team that there is nothing wrong with expecting to get paid but there is a proper way to go about it. If he wants to leave the rest of the team sweating in camp and trying to win without him, that is his choice. But he should get no comfort from the ones who are training and playing while he is home pouting.
June 6th, 2023 at 8:46 am
Loafing is a cancer that affects every workplace in America. It only takes one person half Arse-ing it and the rest of the crew eventually will follow.
June 6th, 2023 at 9:10 am
“Despite things looking rough now money-wise, Tennessee will have a much different situation next offseason, assuming they stay the current course.
According to Over the Cap, the Titans are projected to have $127.9 million in cap space next offseason, ranking as the third-highest total in the league.
Tennessee’s general manager, Ran Carthon, has done a great job clearing the way for 2024, with the Titans shaving $28.5 million off their figure for next year to get to the aforementioned projection.”
Yea the Titans could just wait and sign White if he’s available next offseason, because doing a bunch of accounting tricks this late in the new league year would kind of be reductive to the moves they’ve been making this year to free up money.
June 6th, 2023 at 9:11 am
I’m calling it now. White will play like a 100 mil linebacker and still be either traded or allowed to walk. He is not the type of guy personality or play wise that the Bucs give big money to
Guy went from chasing down a running back from behind on a 59 yard run as a rookie to 3 years later called out for loafing. Only thing that has improved is his arrogant big mouth. Bye Felicia!!!!
June 6th, 2023 at 9:15 am
I still suspect he can’t stand Bowles. Probably has no confidence in his decision making since he blew that playoff game with the Rams. And then that same coach starts criticizing you? I can see it being enough for a player to want a trade.
June 6th, 2023 at 9:26 am
Agree with @ModHairKen about the credibility Sapp’s football comments compared to those of analysts. Hard to argue with a defensive first ballot HOFer who played in the 21st century. When someone with that resume says you shouldn’t be a captain, that’s big.
For those saying Bowles is partially to blame and he should have told White xy&z, how do you know he hadn’t in private. A common theme of leadership is praise in public, discipline in private. If he blasted White in public, many would say he should have “kept the dirty laundry in the house”.
June 6th, 2023 at 9:37 am
I wonder what Sapp has to say about White now? Any idea Joe?
June 6th, 2023 at 10:16 am
He’s not physically declining what are you talking about? Nobody’s ever questioned his athleticism. It’s what’s between his ears that gives people reservations.
June 6th, 2023 at 10:18 am
He is obviously someone with mental health issues. I’m sure the team, his agent, everyone is working with him. I hope he’s alright… I don’t think its just ego.
June 6th, 2023 at 10:21 am
See ya.
June 6th, 2023 at 10:36 am
Jameis of the defense
June 6th, 2023 at 10:45 am
Its just smoke. Tampa needs a starting MLB and Devin needs a strong season for a pay raise. Neither of them get that if the talking head is to be believed. I used to think lighting a fire under #45 would be all he needs, and now I just dont care at all about him. He should be happy the team brought Lavonte back to cover for his loafing.
June 6th, 2023 at 10:51 am
DW will pull up lame is he doesn’t get what he wants
This is the mentality of the modern NFL “star” players
June 6th, 2023 at 11:52 am
Licht won’t trade any high draft picks he drafted for what ever reason. All that it will take is two or three loses coming out of the gate and he will be saying I told you so.
June 6th, 2023 at 12:02 pm
Loafing in a one-score game — on national television in primetime when the Bucs were tooth-and-nail fighting for a playoff berth.
I as well cannot forgive that action.
June 6th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
No way Bowles will ok a trade
June 6th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
Agree with the comments on coaching playing a role in his decline but disagree that his athletic skills are declining.
You can call Belicheat every name in the book but he’s a damn good coach. If he sees a player “loafing” or simply missing his assignment, he’ll be n their face immediately when the player comes back to the sideline, have another coach do it or even pull him from the game to light him up before putting him back in. The culture of accountability begins at the top and spreads through the entire team. A so-called “player’s coach” like Bowles doesn’t have that fire to do that and probably doesn’t want to embarrass a player on live TV.
That Mr. Nice Guy approach doesn’t work in the NFL. Mr. Tough Nice guy can. Guys like Brady, Rodgers, JJ Watt who have the credibility never shy away from getting in the ear of players in real time if they’re screwing up. Bowles needs to do the same because a HC is supposed to have even more credibility than a player.
We got some new coaches this season. Let’s see how they handle things when a player loafs or messes up. Hopefully Bowles gives them the freedom to actually do some coaching during a game.
That “it’s not Bowles’ style” argument reeks. He needs to engage his players on the sidelines and coach them. Coaching doesn’t stop at practice. Look at the better coaches in the league and watch them on the sidelines. They’re 100% engaged.
As a defensive coach, Bowles is in the Belichick model, he just needs to add some “di*khead” to his portfolio, especially with guys like White and remind them that nobody is too big to be benched or chewed out if they can’t get with the program.
They fight for the job to be a starter in camp. They need to be reminded that they need to fight even harder to keep it
June 6th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
Trade Him to Washington for their Disgruntled Player in Chase Young.
June 6th, 2023 at 4:13 pm
I don’t see a trade happening. White will have to play in Tampa this season. Then Tampa will ttry to negotiate a new contract next season. If White continues to play like that past two seasons. Tampa may feel White is asking for too much and let him test Free agency. I’m not seeing any team giving White a long term $100million dollar contract based off his play the last two seasons. Tampa is basically telling White show us what you can do this season and we’ll talk. I think if White plays this year like he has the last two seasons. Other teams will offer White a similar amount to what he’s making now.
But hey. According to White he doesn’t want to play here anymore why even offer him anything. Let him walk after this year. Take the 3rd rd compensation pick and move on.
June 6th, 2023 at 4:29 pm
If you look at other linebackers around the league. Now a days they don’t play elite for like 10yrs anymore. They are elite for like 3 to 5yrs then start to drop off. Kinda reminds me of the running back position in some ways. Three years of OMG did you see that!!! Then they wear down.
June 6th, 2023 at 5:03 pm
if jason light (after consulting w staff) decides something, it is probably his decision. if bowles can’t convince him or jl gets a fair offer on the open market … a deal gets done. bowles answers to jason, not the other way around.
June 7th, 2023 at 7:13 am
I smell agent…does anybody else smell agent?…yeah definately agent.
That is a sure sign that there aint much interest in D White out there in NFL land.