Eagles go out of character again — sign linebacker Devin White
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 05: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker Devin White (45) looks into the offensive backfield during the regular season game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 05, 2022 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)
After going out of his comfort zone by signing Saquon Barkley to a massive deal, general manager Howie Roseman broke character again this offseason by signing an off-ball linebacker.
The Eagles reportedly have agreed to terms with former Pro Bowler and Tampa Bay Buccaneer linebacker Devin White on a one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million including incentives.
The move was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
White was the fifth pick in the 2019 draft and a five-year starter for the Bucs. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2020 and made the Pro Bowl in 2021. The 26-year-old was on the Bucs that won Super Bowl LV over the Kansas City Chiefs and also played in playoff wins over the Eagles in 2021 and 2023.
In five seasons with Tampa, White started 76 of a possible 83 games and had three interceptions, 21 pass deflections, 566 tackles, 23 sacks, 40 tackles for loss, and 64 quarterback hits. One of his two interceptions this past season came in Week 3 off Jalen Hurts inside the Bucs’ 20-yard-line. The Eagles came out victorious that Monday night, 25-11, in Tampa.
While it is only a one-year deal, it is still a significant move for Roseman, who rarely spends much more than minimum wage on off-ball linebackers. But the Birds are desperate for linebackers right now. They cycled through six starters last year: Nicholas Morrow (12 starts), Zach Cunningham (10 starts), Nakobe Dean (four starts), Shaquille Leonard (three starts), and Christian Ellis and Ben VanSumeren (one start). Dean and VanSumeren are the only ones still rostered.
The Eagles ranked near the bottom in virtually every defensive category last year and have not had a Pro Bowl off-ball linebacker since Jeremiah Trotter in 2004.
Roseman is making moves he needs to make. This is a big one.
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