What Happened to Devin Marcel White?
Devin White is an American professional football linebacker who has played for multiple NFL teams since being drafted fifth overall in 2019. After winning Super Bowl LV and earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he has since played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, and Las Vegas Raiders, before signing with the Detroit Lions on August 1, 2026.
Quick Answer
Devin White, the former Buccaneers' Super Bowl champion and All-Pro linebacker, signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions on August 1, 2026. After requesting a trade from Tampa Bay in 2023, he had brief stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (released without playing) and Houston Texans in 2024, followed by a productive 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders where he recorded 174 tackles. He now looks to solidify a role in the Lions' linebacker corps.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Springhill, Louisiana
Devin Marcel White was born in Springhill, Louisiana.
Wins Butkus Award
As a junior at LSU, White won the Butkus Award, recognizing him as the nation's top collegiate linebacker. He was also a Consensus All-American.
Drafted by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devin White was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Signs Rookie Contract with Buccaneers
White signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $29.32 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including a $19.34 million signing bonus.
Named NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month
White earned NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month honors for his strong performance in December of his inaugural NFL season.
Wins Super Bowl LV
White played a pivotal role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' victory in Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs. He was also named Second-team All-Pro for the 2020 season.
Earns First Pro Bowl Selection
Following his strong performance, White received his first Pro Bowl nomination for the 2021 NFL season.
Buccaneers Exercise Fifth-Year Option
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers exercised the fifth-year option on Devin White's contract, extending his stay with the team through the 2023 season.
Requests Trade from Buccaneers
During the 2023 offseason, White publicly requested a trade from the Buccaneers after failing to negotiate a contract extension.
Signs with Philadelphia Eagles
White signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Released by Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles released White without him having played a single snap for the team during the regular season.
Signed by Houston Texans
White was signed by the Houston Texans, appearing in seven games for them during the remainder of the 2024 season.
Signs with Las Vegas Raiders
White signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. He went on to start all 17 games in the 2025 season, recording a career-high 174 tackles.
Signs with Detroit Lions
Devin White signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, marking his fourth team in four seasons. The signing came in response to a rookie injury.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Devin Marcel White's journey in professional football began with high expectations after a stellar collegiate career at LSU, where he won the Butkus Award in 2018 as the nation's best linebacker. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, signing a four-year, $29.32 million fully guaranteed contract. White quickly made an impact, earning NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month honors in December 2019.
His tenure with the Buccaneers peaked in the 2020 season, where he was a crucial component of their Super Bowl LV championship team, recording 140 total tackles and nine sacks during the regular season, and two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in the playoffs. He earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. However, after the Buccaneers exercised his fifth-year option in April 2022, White requested a trade during the 2023 offseason, signaling a desire for a long-term contract extension that wasn't materialized.
The 2024 season marked a period of significant transition for White. He initially signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2024 but was surprisingly released on October 8, 2024, without playing a single snap for the team. He then joined the Houston Texans later that month, appearing in seven games and two playoff games. In March 2025, White signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he experienced a resurgence, starting all 17 games and achieving a career-high 174 total tackles, along with 2.5 sacks and an interception.
Despite his strong statistical performance with the Raiders in 2025, the team opted to revamp their linebacker room, leading to White's departure. As of August 1, 2026, Devin White has signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, marking his fourth team in as many seasons. This move positions him to compete for playing time alongside Jack Campbell and other linebackers, aiming to prove his value on another 'prove-it' style contract.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Devin Marcel White made different choices?