The Philadelphia Eagles are signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White to a one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.
The late-night addition on Thursday supplies a significant need for a defense that surrendered the seventh-most yards last season and is undergoing a schematic repair under newly hired defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
White’s deal with Philadephia comes after he requested a trade from the Bucs last April and ended up playing the 2023 season under the fifth-year option. He struggled with foot and groin injuries and was replaced by K.J. Britt.
It’s yet the second uncharacteristic investment this week by general manager Howie Roseman. The Eagles entered free agency having ranked in the bottom 10 in positional spending on both linebackers and running backs in each of the last four seasons, according to Over The Cap. Now, in addition to signing Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million contract, Roseman has splurged once again to secure an off-the-ball linebacker with substantial upside.
White, 26, recorded 83 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and nine quarterback hits in 14 regular-season games in 2023. As the Buccaneers’ No. 5 pick in the 2019 draft, he came on strong immediately and had his best campaign during the team’s 2020 Super Bowl season where White picked up nine sacks and 140 tackles.
He ranked No. 51 on The Athletic’s list of top free agents. Still, he must prove himself on a one-year pact after regressing during the final year of his rookie contract.
White projects as an immediate starter. Entering free agency, Nakobe Dean was the only off-ball linebacker under contract who started in more than two games. The Eagles also signed former New Orleans Saints linebacker Zack Baun to a one-year deal earlier in the week. But Baun projects as an edge defender under Fangio. He played 252 of his 301 defensive snaps along the edge last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
White, who ran a 4.42 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine, is one of the most athletic linebackers the Eagles have acquired in the Roseman era. After letting T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White walk in 2023, Roseman is repairing what became a patchwork position group at a significant price.
White’s speed is freakish when paired with his 6-foot, 237-pound frame. Fangio can unleash his newest weapon in myriad ways. As a dangerous blitzer, White has logged 23 sacks in five seasons. As a heavy hitter, he’s forced six fumbles in the same span. His quickness and instincts in coverage have yielded three career interceptions.
The Eagles were frequently outmatched at the second level in 2023. Nicholas Morrow, who was recently signed by the Buffalo Bills, surrendered the second-most passing yards in coverage among linebackers (164), according to Pro Football Focus. White allowed 47, which is 33rd most. If Dean and White remain healthy in 2024, one of Philly’s weakest units could become one of its strongest.
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