Bucs inside linebacker Devin White has yet to appear for any voluntary workouts at the team’s AdventHealth Training Center this offseason. The big question is whether he’ll show up for Tampa Bay’s mandatory mini-camp next week or will the fifth-year linebacker be a no-show?

When asked if he expects White to be at the team’s mini-camp, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles delivered a simple and stern message aimed at the linebacker without naming White directly.

“It’s mandatory – I expect everybody to be here,” Bowles said.

If White is a no-show next week he is subject to be fined per the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement. And then the question of whether White’s holdout will continue through training camp will be raised.

Devin White Situation Will Gain Clarity Next Week

Bucs ILB Devin White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Devin White has stayed away from the offseason conditioning and OTAs while protesting his current contract situation. White requested a trade after the Bucs did not extend his contract this offseason. Tampa Bay wants White to play on his fifth-year option, which is worth $11.706 million, and the team will not trade him.

White, who was by the Bucs with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 Draft, can hit free agency after the 2023 season. He would then be due for a big second contract next offseason. White wants to be a $100 million linebacker and while an extension would likely lower his cap hit for this season, Todd Bowles and the Bucs are waiting to decide if he’s worth such an investment.

White has flashed signs of brilliance at different points of his career and played a key role in the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV run. He recovered a fumble and intercepted Drew Brees in an NFC Divisional Round win over the Saints and later intercepted Patrick Mahomes to keep the Chiefs out of the end zone in the Super Bowl, which Tampa Bay won, 31-9.

White had some issues with consistency during the 2021 season, though that season saw him earn his first Pro Bowl selection. Then, in 2022, it was much more of an up-and-down year for the speedy linebacker, and he came under fire during the season for some poor play. He was struggling to get off blocks and making some costly mistakes, which hurt the Bucs defense. To his credit, he cleaned his game up and played better down the stretch of the season.

Bucs Added 2 Promising Rookie ILBs This Offseason

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Behind the scenes the Bucs are giddy over the talent and promise of two rookie inside linebackers. The Bucs spent a fifth-round pick on Pittsburgh’s SirVocea Dennis and signed Tennessee’s Jeremy Banks as an undrafted free agent. Banks would have had a mid-round grade if not for an off-field incident, which caused his draft stock to tumble.

One of those linebackers could replace veteran linebacker Lavonte David, who will turn 34 next January, if he’s not re-signed next year. But if Devin White does not show up for mini-camp and training camp the Bucs have a pair of options that could replace White this season if continues to hold out. Or perhaps one of them could replace White in 2024 if the team decides not to re-sign their former first-round pick.

Dennis is a very cerebral linebacker who is adept at both blitzing and dropping into pass coverage. He totaled 15 sacks in his Pittsburgh career, including seven last year as a senior. Banks is a fast, athletic linebacker who has sideline-t0-sideline speed and hits like a hammer. Both should make Tampa Bay’s 53-man roster this season.