Report: Devin White requests trade from Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White requested a trade from the team, according to ESPN’s Jenna Laine.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter added White wants out of the franchise, but the team doesn’t feel the same way. White is about to play under his fifth-year option with the team.
Tampa Bay selected White with the No. 5 overall pick out of LSU in the 2019 NFL Draft.
“Bucs’ Pro Bowl LB Devin White has in fact requested a trade, as Jenna Laine reported,” Schefter wrote on Twitter. “Bucs do not want to trade but he wants to be traded as he is coming up on his fifth-year option.”
Last season, White played and started in all 17 regular season games. He finished with 124 total tackles, 73 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, five pass deflections, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
In his career, White has 483 total tackles, 315 solo tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, one interception, 15 pass deflections, six forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns.
At LSU for three seasons, White accumulated 286 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
As a member of the Class of 2016, White was a four-star recruit out of Springhill (La.) North Webster, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 11 overall prospect in the state, the No. 18 linebacker in the class and the No. 176 overall prospect in the class.
Baker Mayfield signs with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devin White is a highly productive player, but it could be rebuilding time for the Bucs. Rather than lose him to free agency at some point, the Bucs might as well trade him for value.
Signaling that rebuild could be the signing of Baker Mayfield. Whether it’s a reclamation project for Mayfield and the Bucs, or the quarterback just serving as a bridge until a draftable one comes along remains to be seen.
The former No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma in the 2018 NFL Draft, Mayfield spent four seasons with the Cleveland Browns before he was traded to the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2022 season. Things did not go well for Mayfield in Carolina, though. Mayfield played seven games for the Panthers, starting six of them. Mayfield threw for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions in that time but was released by Carolina in December.
One day after his release from Carolina, Mayfield was claimed by the Los Angeles Rams. Mayfield played five games for the Rams, starting four of them. He threw for 850 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in that time.