TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout linebacker Devin White can demand a trade all he wants, but GM Jason Licht isn’t going to give in to his demands, no matter what.
“I have no intention,” Licht said. “He’s done some great things for us as a player and we look forward to more from him in the future. He’s on our team.”
According to an ESPN report, White has requested a trade and is “fed up” with the Bucs. The report didn’t say exactly what White was fed up with, but he has wanted a long-term contract and has said in the past that he would one day be a $100 million dollar linebacker.
Right now, he’s going into his 5th-year option of which the Bucs have already picked up at $11.7 million.
“If he has the kind of year that we all think he’s capable of, we can hopefully put this to rest and everybody is happy.”
White was a Pro Bowler in 2021. Last season in 17 games, White had 124 total tackles along with 5.5 sacks. His best year was during the 2020 Super Bowl season. The former LSU star had career highs in tackles (140) and had 9 sacks that season.
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“Like I said, we have the utmost respect for Devin, ” Licht said. “He’s a competitor; he’s a player everybody holds him in high regard. The 24-year-old Bucs captain will be a free agent after this upcoming 2023 season.
Knowing that White might be unhappy and signing veteran linebacker Lavonte David to a 1 year extension, would the Bucs make it a priority in this upcoming NFL Draft to pick up a linebacker or two?
“We’re never not looking at the middle linebackers or the inside linebackers,” Licht said. “There’s always some good players at every draft. But yes, we’re always looking and if it’s at the right time, at the right place, the right fit, we wouldn’t be afraid to take one, no.”
A couple of weeks ago, White posted several confusing messages on his Instagram stories like “4 years went by fast” and also posted “thank ya.” Most took it to mean he was leaving the Bucs. White later clarified he was just “reflecting on how fast my first four years went by.”
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