Headline: Devin White eyed as Raiders’ high-stakes reclamation project after veteran-minimum deal
Las Vegas is betting that Devin White can recapture the form that made him a Pro Bowler and a key piece of the Buccaneers’ 2020 Super Bowl run, even as the 27-year-old linebacker lands on a Raiders roster crowded with veteran names trying to squeeze out a few more seasons. White joins a group of elder prospects in Las Vegas—including Jaylon Smith, Jamal Adams, and Raheem Mostert—who are all hoping to unlock a late-career resurgence with the silver and black.
White’s rise and fall
White stood out early in his NFL career, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 after a breakout 2022 campaign that saw him finish with 5.5 sacks, 124 tackles, and eight tackles for a loss. Then a contract standstill led to a trade request in the ensuing offseason. Tampa Bay, already paying White more than $11 million guaranteed for 2023, balked at his demand to become the league’s highest-paid linebacker, and the former core piece of the Buccaneers’ defense found himself on the move.
The next chapter in Philadelphia didn’t last long. White signed with the Eagles as a free agent, but was released after being a healthy scratch, leaving a sour taste in some circles. In a recent discussion, Jason Licht, the Buccaneers’ longtime GM, admitted—retrospectively—that drafting White in 2019 was a miscalculation, saying he would have been off the board if he knew then what he knows now. The reflection underlines a broader shift in Tampa Bay’s talent-valuation approach toward higher-character players.
Raiders take a calculated risk
Las Vegas, meanwhile, is gambling on White’s upside rather than his recent track record, signing him to a veteran minimum contract with little financial commitment beyond this season. If he proves himself, he could solidify the Raiders’ outside linebacker spot; if not, the club can part ways without heavy cap penalties.
Notably, Raiders general manager John Spytek was the Buccaneers’ director of player personnel when White was drafted, which helps explain why Las Vegas was comfortable taking a swing on a player who Licht suggested should perhaps have been off the board. The move signals a front office willing to roll the dice on a talented, athletic defender who has shown elite potential at his peak.
What to watch in camp and beyond
– Fit in Patrick Graham’s defense: Las Vegas is counting on White to adapt to a scheme that relies on passive discipline and rapid pursuit angles from the second level. The pace and scheme fit will be under close scrutiny in camp and preseason games.
– Competition and role: White is penciled in as a starter on the outside, but depth behind him and the development of younger linebackers will determine workload and substitution patterns come Week 1.
– Maturation narrative: A key question is whether White has matured into a more team-centric player who can handle the responsibilities of a full-time role in the NFL’s modern era.
Why it matters
This is one of those high-stakes, low-risk gambles teams occasionally take to spark a defensive unit in transition. The Raiders have the incentive to see if White can recapture peak form without a large financial commitment, while White gets a fresh chance to re-establish himself as a premier playmaker at a position that demands speed, instincts, and leadership.
Summary and outlook
If White taps back into the athleticism and instincts that made him a standout early in his career, Las Vegas could reap a meaningful return on a minimal investment. If not, the Raiders’ scouting and development team can move on with minimal financial drag. Either way, White’s 2025 season will be a defining chapter—an opportunity to prove he still belongs among the NFL’s top linebackers and to show Raider Nation that the club’s willingness to take a chance can pay off.
Additional comments
– This situation exemplifies how teams balance upside with risk in mid-career acquisitions, especially for players whose values oscillate around performance and fit.
– For fans, it’s a hopeful storyline: a talented athlete reshaping a career with the right system, coaching, and teammates.
– Watch for any early indicators of chemistry with teammates and the defense’s ability to leverage White’s speed in pass-coverage and run support.
Note: The article focuses on the strategic implications of White’s signing, his career arc, and Las Vegas’s rationale for the move, while highlighting what fans and analysts should monitor as training camp and the preseason unfold.