The contract extension saga between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and linebacker Devin White remains unsettled.
The Buccaneers recently picked up White’s fifth-year option at $11.706 million for the 2023 season. White is looking for an extension in excess of $100 million. Needless to say, the Bucs haven’t given in to those demands, resulting in White asking for a trade.
Wednesday, inside linebacker coach and co-defensive coordinator Larry Foote recently spoke on White’s status.
“Like I told him, he’s getting paid $11 million this year — those are champagne problems,” via Pewter Report. “I get it on both sides. He’s played a lot of ball, does he need to be here in the spring? We would love him to be here, but it’s not going to hurt him from the standpoint of playing.”
Foote continued,
“I want him here and I’m quite sure that’s going to get worked out. But I understand both sides. It’s part of the business that nobody likes, but it is what it is. It’s money. You look at now, the guaranteed money. He wants his money now,” Foote stated. “But he’s got to understand, the organization, they’re preparing for next year. So, we’ve got to meet somewhere in the middle, however it’s going to play out. But we picked up his fifth-year option and I’ve seen across [the league] yesterday, a lot of players, they don’t get that option. But it’s money, and I understand that. Like I said, he’s not the first and he’s not gonna be the last. And that’s part of the game.”
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It’s not like White hasn’t performed since being drafted. The horse-loving linebacker has posted 483 tackles (315 solo), 20.5 sacks, one interception and six forced fumbles.
The 2022 season exposed some issues with White’s game. White Had a sub-50 grade in his last six games according to Pro Football Focus. He also was graded at a sub-60 grade on seven additional games. So there’s definitely room for improvement as Foote notes.
“Everything, just get better. Pre-snap stuff, zone coverage, even blitzing better, attacking the run,” Foote stated. “And obviously, you want to look at any explosive plays that you gave up and we want to minimize that. And just little things, new ideas that we’re putting in. I’m getting him up to scheme, some of the new stuff that we’re implementing. Every year, you’ve got to be better than the next year. This league demands it. So far, during his short career, he’s been evolving.”
At the end of the day, White has all the tools needed, but as of now in the Buccaneers’ eyes, that doesn’t equal $100 million in value.
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