The Philadelphia Eagles have continued their aggressive approach in the 2024 NFL free agency, securing big-name signings such as Saquon Barkley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Adding to the momentum, the Eagles signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White to a one-year contract, as confirmed by reports.
White, 26, has the potential to earn up to $7.5 million on the deal, positioning him among the top earners at the linebacker position, according to ESPN. His addition further strengthens the Eagles’ defense, joining notable signings like Bryce Huff from the New York Jets and Zack Baun from the New Orleans Saints.
While White’s recent performance may not fully match his reputation, the former No. 5 overall draft pick faced challenges late in the 2023 season with the Buccaneers, resulting in his demotion. Reports suggest that his tendency to improvise within Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme played a role in his benching, despite his impressive stats earlier in his career.
As an All-Pro member of the 2020 Buccaneers defense that aided Tom Brady’s Super Bowl LV victory, White recorded a career-high nine sacks, along with 15 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits. He consistently exceeded 120 tackles in three consecutive seasons from 2020 to 2023.
In Philadelphia, White’s arrival addresses a position lacking playmakers, especially during the team’s late-season struggles in 2022. With Nakobe Dean and Ben VanSumeren as the only returning linebackers, White is expected to play a significant role under the guidance of new coordinator Vic Fangio.
