Buccaneers GM comments on Devin White's reported trade request
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ran into a bit of offseason drama on Wednesday when ESPN's Jenna Laine reported star linebacker Devin White recently requested a trade from the team. The fifth-year linebacker is reportedly "fed up" with the Bucs, but the source of White's frustration is unknown. Logical speculation points toward talks surrounding White's potential […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ran into a bit of offseason drama on Wednesday when ESPN's Jenna Laine reported star linebacker Devin White recently requested a trade from the team.
The fifth-year linebacker is reportedly "fed up" with the Bucs, but the source of White's frustration is unknown. Logical speculation points toward talks surrounding White's potential contract extension as the reason he's upset, but that's not fully known, at this point.
Either way, Buccaneers GM Jason Licht painted a very clear picture of White's future with the team when he spoke to reporters on Thursday.
"We all have all the respect in the world for Devin," Licht told reporters. "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… and we are looking forward to him being a part of this team and if he has the kind of year that we all think he's capable of, we can hopefully put this to rest and everybody's happy.
"[We have] no intention [of trading him]."
It doesn't really make sense for the Buccaneers to trade White. Sure, they could use the $11+ million in cap savings that would accompany a trade, but, the bulk of free agency is over and White can still produce on the field. Plus, he's a team captain who also wears the green dot – his role on the team is a vital one.
Plus, the Buccaneers aren't going to receive much for White, at this point, anyway. Gambling on his upside and the idea he could finally put it all together in 2023 is worth a lot more than the likely third-rounder the Bucs would receive in a hypothetical trade.
And, when listening to Licht's thoughts on this year's class of linebackers, it's even more clear he's 100% serious when saying he has no intention of trading White.
"This year… I wouldn't say that's the strength of this draft," said Licht.
So, go ahead and gear up for another year with White and Lavonte David manning the middle of the defense. And maybe, it won't be the last, either.
