Buccaneers GM on Devin White, ‘It Was Too Much About Him’

Devin White’s career trajectory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been puzzling. After being drafted fifth overall in 2019, he showed immense promise, helping the team win Super Bowl LV in 2020 and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. However, his performance declined significantly over the next few seasons, leading to his eventual departure from the team.

After shining as a key player on the Buccaneers’ 2020 Super Bowl-winning team and earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2021, Devin White’s fortunes took a downturn. His relationship with the coaching staff soured, and by age 25, the Buccaneers had decided to part ways with him. Since then, White has been on a whirlwind, playing for multiple teams, including three different stops since the start of the 2024 season.

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In an interview with Dan Pompei of The Athletic, Licht candidly shared his draft philosophies and acknowledged that White wouldn’t have made his draft board if he knew then what he knows now. Licht’s concerns about White stem from his playing style, stating, “It was too much about him”. White was a key contributor to the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV win in 2020 and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, but his performance declined in subsequent seasons, leading to his departure from the team. Since then, White has played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, and Las Vegas Raiders, struggling to find consistency.

“Knowing what I know now, he would have been off my board. It was too much about him.”

White’s trade request at the start of the 2023 season wasn’t granted by the Buccaneers, who instead chose to retain him for the year. Looking back, this decision might have been a mistake, considering White had a career-worst season. However, it’s likely the Buccaneers wouldn’t have gotten the return they wanted, given White’s high-variance playing style and salary demands. White reportedly sought a record-setting deal worth around $100 million, with some estimates suggesting a four-year contract worth $80 million, with an average annual value of $20.1 million, surpassing Roquan Smith’s average per year of $20 million.

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White’s playing style was often criticized for being overly focused on making highlight-reel plays, rather than consistently executing sound, fundamental football. This approach sometimes hurt the Buccaneers’ defense, and his inconsistency was a major liability for the team in recent years. White’s tendency to prioritize splash plays over reliable performance was seen as a key factor in his struggles to live up to expectations.

While Jason Licht can’t be entirely faulted for drafting Devin White fifth overall, given his high ranking on most draft boards, the pick didn’t pan out as expected. However, Licht has learned from the experience and now prioritizes high-character players.

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White is getting a fresh start with the Las Vegas Raiders under Pete Carroll’s guidance. After a tumultuous 2024 season that saw him play for the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans, White is looking to revitalize his career. The Eagles released him without playing a single snap, while he appeared in just seven games for the Texans, recording 19 tackles.

The Buccaneers’ front office, led by Jason Licht, has learned a valuable lesson from the Devin White experience. Moving forward, even if they make a draft mistake, they’ll likely prioritize players who embody a team-first mentality and possess high character. This shift in approach is a direct response to the issues that plagued White’s tenure with the team.

Buccaneers GM on Devin White, ‘It Was Too Much About Him’ was first posted on August 12, 2025 at 11:34 am.
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