In a contract year, Bucs inside linebacker Devin White needs a big season to put him in a position for a big payday. But with the way the year has played out so far, it is looking unlikely that he will remain in Tampa Bay long-term.

White spoke to the media on Thursday, and the comments he made had a shroud of shade thrown at Todd Bowles and onlookers of the team.

Devin White: “I’m Doing Everything That The Defense Allows Me To Do”

When asked about how he would assess his play midway through the season, Devin White had an interesting answer. White chose not to own up to his struggles and up-and-down play but instead looks at it as being a case of him just doing what is allowed.

Bucs ILB Devin White – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

“I’m doing everything that the defense allows me to do,” White said. “I’m really proud that I’m not out there playing not sound, I think that’s the perfect word for it. I feel like I can do a lot more and I think coach [Todd] Bowles is trying to find a way to get [players involved] — just having people coming in and out of the lineup we got to do certain things. Hopefully, he finds more ways to be even more creative to get everybody going, including myself. Doing different things and confusing offenses, there’s a lot more work I can do.”

Could this be a subtle shot at head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles, who has long had the back of his inside linebacker? Reading between the lines, it seems like Devin White does not think Bowles is utilizing him properly and that has left him unable to really get going.

To be a playmaker, though, one has to make plays, regardless of what is called or going on around them. Take Antoine Winfield Jr. and Lavonte David, for example. Whether it’s Winfield forcing and recovering fumbles or David locking up his matchups and stuffing the run, they have separated themselves this season by getting involved in impromptu ways. That simply has not been the case for Devin White.

Yes, White has his moments, but the negatives have outweighed the positives. While he took a big step in the right direction in the season opener against the Vikings, his last seven games have lacked consistency. His sack last week against the Texans and interception earlier this season on a pass thrown directly at him by Jalen Hurts have been filled in with gaps. There are times when he overpursues and misses his assignment or gives up on chasing down a ball carrier. That has been more telling of the inconsistent play he has provided the Bucs’ defense.

Bucs ILB Devin White – Photo by: USA Today

When the situation is perfect White has made plays, but in recent seasons it has been frustrating to watch the regression of someone who checks all the boxes for high-end talent. In 2019 and 2020, Devin White was on his way to being one of the NFL’s best linebackers.

White had three forced fumbles, one interception, and two fumble recoveries for touchdowns in his rookie year. He followed that up in 2020 by regularly “getting live” with nine sacks and finding a new gear during the team’s Super Bowl run with two interceptions and fumble recoveries apiece in just three games.

But since reaching that pinnacle, White’s play has dipped, and it’s fair to wonder if he can recapture that form. To have any chance at remaining a Buccaneer, the remaining slate of games will have to be his best.

Devin White Addresses Correcting His Mistakes

When asked how he is going about fixing his mistakes, Devin White mentioned staying in the film room and his playbook.

Bucs ILBs Lavonte David and Devin White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I try to stay in the film room to see what I messed up because at the end of the day when it’s me, I just want to correct it,” White said. “Everybody thinks you mess up sometimes and it isn’t even you. You don’t know what defense you’re playing or what’s going on, who had what. At the end of the day, I try to be a situational master. When I got this gap, make sure you’re in this gap. When I got this person, make sure you’re covering this person.

“You’re still a human, you’re still trying to make plays and do things that some people can’t do and it might burn you, it might help you, you just never know. I just try to stay in my playbook and stay watching film. Even Lavonte [David], we are always talking like, ‘We could have done this better, we could have given ourselves an opportunity. Let’s not miss it next time.’ We’re just always finding ways to get better.”

While it sounds like White is taking responsibility, it also sounds like he is attempting to redirect the finger-pointing back at those who have watched him. It is one thing to say that you have been in the film room, but another to play like it. Especially when Lavonte David has been keeping the bar high and playing some of his best ball in his age-33 season to lead the team with 20 more tackles than White has.

Devin White’s time to prove his doubters wrong is running out, and there is no better time to capitalize on the in-game situations that present themselves than this Sunday against the Titans.