As if there were not enough headlines surrounding the Bucs this week, one of the team’s most polarizing former players found a new home on Saturday afternoon. Inside linebacker Devin White has signed a one-year deal with the Lions, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Devin White Forced To Settle On One-Year Deal Despite Gaudy 2025 Stats

As noted by Jordan Schultz above, Devin White appeared to have a career revival with the Raiders in 2025.

White had 174 tackles, which far surpasses his previous high of 140 tackles with the Bucs in 2020. Add in his 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception, one would think he returned to being a playmaking inside linebacker that should have signed before August, right?

Not so fast.

Former Bucs, Raiders ILB Devin White – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Despite White’s gaudy box score statistics, they are quite misleading. For a Las Vegas team that went just 3-14, they needed somebody to fill the middle of the defense and record what amounted to nothing more than empty tackles. The issues that have plagued the once-promising linebacker continued to be on display, as he was given just a 40.7 defensive grade by Pro Football Focus (PFF), which ranked 82nd among 88 linebackers.

His 36.1 coverage grade was not much better, placing just 79th of those same 88. He put up numbers, but in a highly inefficient way. His few splash plays were negated by the big ones given up on his watch, as he allowed a 92.5 passer rating when targeted.

It seems like forever ago he was an All-Pro who seemed destined to take the torch from Lavonte David. As quickly as the torch was lit, it flamed out in Tampa Bay. After playing at such a high level during the team’s 2020 Super Bowl run and for the large part of his first three seasons, White’s play began to trend in a negative direction in 2022. By 2023, he was demanding a $100 million contract the front office balked at giving him. That proved to be a wise choice, as he was benched late in the season and shown the door when he hit free agency.

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

He has become something of a journeyman linebacker since, signing with the Eagles in 2024 but getting cut before the season started. He latched on with the Texans for the rest of that year before joining the Raiders in 2025 and starting all 17 games. Few opportunities line up to be as favorable for him as the one he now has with the Lions. Given that Detroit runs a 4-3 defense, Jack Campbell will be the starter up the middle. Still, White could get chances to rotate in as a sub-linebacker and in instances where they look for more of a pass-rushing spark.

While White continues to land chances based on his pedigree, his best days are all but behind him.

After being expected to be the face of the Bucs’ defense, he is now just trying to fight to stick in the NFL. That will help his pocketbooks some, but not nearly as much as he once thought. An interesting storyline to keep in mind is that if Devin White makes the Lions 53-man roster, he will have the chance to suit up when Tampa Bay flies up to Detroit in a Week 11 matchup.