Devin White: ‘I Want To Be The Long-Term Guy’

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White says he’s ready to ‘focus on the season’ following a failed trade request.

Devin White made a formal trade request in April, but it was always a non-starter. The former No.5 overall pick enters the fifth year of his rookie contract worth $11.7 million a year.

It appears Devin White was seeking long term assurances from Tampa Bay in the form of a new deal. However, the Buccaneers don’t have to worry about that right now. They could franchise tag him next offseason and keep him an additional two years.

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The Ravens’ Roquan Smith is the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL at $20 million a year. White is hardly a market-topping player, however. In four seasons, he has 483 tackles, nine fumble recoveries — two returned for TDs — 20.5 sacks, and one interception.

White says a conversation with head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht helped him back down from his trade request.

“I just wanted to be the guy here for a long time,” White said.

“After just sitting down with coach Bowles and Jason Licht and just understanding their plans for me. … See how I can do better. Moving forward, we all came to an agreement, and that’s why I’m here now, just focusing on the season now.”

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“I don’t think it’s no regrets,” White said.

“I don’t think it’s just about being paid. It’s just about being a guy who was drafted here and doing a lot for this program. I just want to be the long-term guy. You know, I just want to be a guy like Lavonte [David], who’s been here forever. 

“I wanted to be that next guy. And we just didn’t make it happen when I wanted it to. And that’s where I kind of get a little bit selfish. Even knowing I still had the fifth-year option and that was the thing in play.”