The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have dealt with some player drama this offseason and said drama is the product of Devin White's unhappiness with his current contract situation. 

White requested a trade a couple of months ago because the Bucs aren't willing to give him long-term deal, right now. The fifth-year Pro Bowler hasn't been consistent enough to warrant that type of contract and he's set to make a little more than $11.7 million in 2023.

White has also been on record stating he wants to be the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL, which means he'd have to make more than Roquan Smith's league-leading $20 million per year in order to accomplish that. When looking at this in its entirety, it's pretty obvious the Bucs are making the correct call.

Lavonte David, one of the best and most beloved players in franchise history explained the reasoning behind White's trade request on Wednesday.

"Emotions got the best of him," David told reporters. "I know Devin wants to be here and he wants to play here. His emotions got the best of him. He's here and ready to work. He's not ready to go right now, but he'll get himself ready for training camp.

"I talked to him throughout the whole process – whenever that stuff was going on. I know the type of person Devin is. I know he's ready to get back out there and play football and be able to help us win."

Getting emotional is not a good reason, honestly. Everyone knows the NFL is a business and that this happens all the time. Teams aren't going to just hand out fat contracts to productive, but still not-completely-proven players. The only guys locks to receive deals without teams blinking twice are players like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Justin Jefferson, Aaron Donald, and just a few others. 

Hell, Nick Bosa is still on the last year of his rookie deal. He hasn't even been extended, yet (even though that's on the horizon).

David also reminded White of exactly that.

"That's something that I did talk to him about. Sometimes you may feel disrespected, but you can't let that get to you," said David. "All you can do is control what you can control and that's going out there and putting your best tape on the field. Then everything will take care of itself."

White is a fiery guy and a lot of his productivity stems from the intensity he brings to the football field. Many people probably look at it as emotion and it's kind of understandable why they perceive things that way.

White plays fast and loose, which is what often comes with emotional decision-making. And he's said in the past he's never going to change. His recklessness is the main factor in his inconsistent play and it's played a big role in how things have arrived at this point.

If that's the case, he needs to change his approach. Fortunately for him, David came through with some more good advice.

"Don't let your emotions get the best of you," said David. "Sometimes that can backfire on you and people can use that against you. Everybody knows you're not that type of person. You're a very passionate person – not a very emotional person. Show your passion, just show that you love the game and that you want to be here for the city of Tampa and the organization that's Tampa… 

"… He's a captain, he's a leader. A lot of guys look up to him… We definitely need him out there and he knows that."

David is 100% right in everything he said and it's a good thing White has him to lean on. We'll obviously have to wait and see if White takes his advice in stride, but at the same time, there's little reason to think White wouldn't listen to the guy he's played alongside of -and won a Super Bowl with- during his whole career.

And if he doesn't? Well, it's safe to say White may never get to the top of mountain, so to speak, like he desires.

Featured image via Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports