The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing the possibility of losing their start linebacker Devin White. According to multiple reports, the Pro Bowler officially requested a trade from the Buccaneers earlier this week.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Bucs don’t want to trade White, but they might not have a choice. The LSU product is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie deal that pays him $11.7 million and is set to become a free agent next year.
White’s trade request most likely stems from the fact that he and the Buccaneers still haven’t been able to come to terms on a contract extension. The 25-year-old player wants a new deal sooner than later, while Tampa Bay isn’t so open to spending after getting into a tough salary cap situation during the Tom Brady years.
There is no doubt that multiple teams will be interested in Devin White if the Bucs decide they are open for business. While White’s stats in 2022 haven’t been eye-catching for the most part, he has shown the potential of being a playmaker in the past. Also, teams might contribute the down year to the defensive struggles Tampa Bay had as a team last year.
White started 62 games for the Bucs since being the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He has 315 tackles and 20.5 career sacks while making one Pro Bowl and one Second-Team All-Pro.
