The Las Vegas Raiders made a low-risk, high-reward move by signing linebacker Devin White to a one-year deal. White played a key role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2020 Super Bowl run and brings familiarity with team owner Tom Brady and general manager Jon Spytek.
Devin White Hopes to Revive NFL Career With Raiders
Drafted fifth overall by the Buccaneers in 2019, White was once viewed as one of the league’s most promising young linebackers. With elite speed and athleticism for the position — and mentorship from veteran Lavonte David — the ceiling looked sky-high.
In 2020, his second season, White posted a team-high 140 tackles and nine sacks, thriving as a blitzer in Todd Bowles’ aggressive defense. He earned second-team All-Pro honors that year and helped anchor a dominant Tampa Bay unit.
White’s postseason performance that year was just as impressive. Despite missing the Wild Card game due to COVID protocols, he led all Bucs defenders with 38 tackles, including three for loss, along with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in just three playoff games — one of the most dominant playoff runs ever by an inside linebacker.
Raiders Hope White Returns to Form in 2025
After a strong start to his career, White’s play declined — and he never quite returned to the form fans came to expect.
Before the 2023 season, White pushed for a long-term extension in Tampa Bay, but the team opted to let him play out the final year of his rookie deal. White held out and requested a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles. He eventually reported, but struggled throughout the season and was benched in favor of K.J. Britt.
The Buccaneers let him walk in free agency without an offer. White signed with the Eagles — his preferred destination — but was released about a month into the season without playing a snap. He then signed with the Houston Texans to finish the year.
Now on his third team since leaving Tampa, White joins the Raiders on a prove-it deal, looking to reset his career after a turbulent stretch. He’s far removed from his All-Pro season, but at 27, there’s still time to bounce back.
The Raiders are aiming to improve a defensive unit that finished No. 21 in the NFL in 2024, according to PFSN’s Defense+ metric. If White can turn in a strong season and help spark that turnaround, he could earn the long-term deal he’s been chasing.
Owner Tom Brady and general manager Jon Spytek know what White is capable of, having worked with him during their Super Bowl run in Tampa. And head coach Pete Carroll, known for his defensive acumen, could be the right leader to help White rediscover his game.
At this stage of his career, a change of scenery — and a front office that still believes in him — might be exactly what White needs to get back on track.