Devin White’s metaphor about his arrival in Philadelphia also foreshadowed his exit from the team. “I’m a seed again,” he said shortly after starting training camp, expressing gratitude for the support he received. However, the ‘seed’ ultimately did not flourish, as the Eagles released him on Tuesday. The move was straightforward: the organization never utilized the former first-round draft pick as intended. By releasing him before the Nov. 5 trade deadline, White can join any team without being subjected to waivers, allowing him to seek the playing opportunity that never materialized in Philadelphia. The release was part of an agreement that would provide the Eagles with financial relief from White’s one-year, $4 million contract.
The surprising nature of White’s departure leaves the Eagles’ linebacker position in a precarious state. Once the primary focus of an offseason overhaul, the unit now lacks the depth that White provided. The Eagles’ defense has struggled this season, allowing the fourth-most rushing yards per attempt in the NFL and pressuring quarterbacks at one of the lowest rates. Despite being close to solidifying their lineup, the team failed to capitalize on White’s potential as he sought to establish himself in a new environment.
After a strong start to training camp, in which White secured most first-team snaps and started both key preseason games, his trajectory changed when he injured his ankle before the season opener. With Nakobe Dean taking over his starting role, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio ultimately decided to maintain Dean as the Week 2 starter, regardless of White’s recovery status. “From the start of training camp to the end, he won the job,” Fangio stated.
Despite expressing that he was prepared for whatever role he would be asked to play, White found himself sidelined without any appearances in special teams and inactive for all four games. His absence from travel to Tampa Bay was attributed to a personal matter.
The decision to release White will also reflect on the Eagles’ offseason decisions. They struggled to find adequate replacements for T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White, resulting in subpar performances from new signings Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham, while Shaquille Leonard, who was acquired midseason, is no longer in the league. With additional acquisitions including White, Zack Baun, Oren Burks, and a draft pick for Jeremiah Trotter Jr., the team has made an affordable yet unproven investment in the linebacker position, ranking second-to-last in the NFL for linebacker spending.
Baun’s emergence has provided a measure of validation for the Eagles’ front office and contributed to White’s exit. While Dean’s injury raised concerns about his reliability, the management demonstrated their faith in him at the start of training camp. It appeared the organization hoped for a situation where White could outperform Dean, but it is unclear if they expected a once-prominent player to accept a backup role.
White’s past suggests a complicated dynamic. Reports indicated White had previously expressed reluctance to sit out despite injury concerns, raising questions about his willingness to adapt to a lesser role. Nonetheless, White formed a connection with Eagles GM Howie Roseman, who shared his own experiences of overcoming setbacks in his career.
Despite this rapport, White and the Eagles parted ways. He now seeks a fresh opportunity to thrive, making his next signing and performance with a potential new team pivotal. Meanwhile, the Eagles face challenges in relying on Dean and Baun to stabilize the linebacker position, leaving questions about the future of their defense.