Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White requested to be traded this offseason after not agreeing to terms on a long-term contract.
However, a meeting with general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles opened White’s eyes to a new perspective.
White has played a valuable role in the Bucs organization since the team drafted him with the No. 5 overall selection of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has established himself as one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL with his elite combination of speed, leadership, and awareness.
The Bucs know what White means to this team. He was one of the most important players in their 2020 run to the Super Bowl. That is why Bowles and Licht took the time to meet with White and explain to him that they had not forgotten about him.
When asked what was discussed at the “secret” meeting between the three to get White to rescind his trade request, Bowles said all he did was “just tell him the truth.”
Bowles went on to say: “We just had to get rid of $60 million. How can we go back and disperse what we had to get rid of to get under the cap?”
After going all-in on their three-year window with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady under center to win a Super Bowl, the Bucs are now beginning to face the financial repercussions of their decisions and White’s contract situation is a part of the fallout.
It will be interesting to see where things stand if/when the two sides prepare to re-engage in contract negotiations.
