It appears that Devin White may be on his way out of Tampa Bay after the Pro Bowl linebacker posted a cryptic message on Instagram.
Buccaneers fans everywhere knew that this offseason would be on of pretty seismic change, but the extent of the tough decisions is starting to settle in.
Both Leonard Fournette and Cameron Brate have been given pink slips, Tom Brady retired, and more changes appear to be on the way. One of the biggest, and most surprising, might involve Pro Bowl linebacker Devin White.
Take it for what it’s worth, but White posted what could be easily interpreted as a farewell message to the Buccaneers on his Instagram account.
#Bucs LB Devin White, who has one year left on his contract and is due for an extension, posted the following on his Instagram story: pic.twitter.com/eBxrp98DU5
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 6, 2023
Nowhere does he directly indicate that the team is moving on from him, and it could be that he’s just reflecting on the last four years of his career and that it’s insane to think his rookie deal is already about to end when it feels like he just got here yesterday.
Then again, it’s almost easier to read it the other way especially considering the tough spot the Bucs are in this offseason and the difficult decisions that will come.
Are Buccaneers moving on from Devin White this offseason? (Updated)
White is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Buccaneers and is set to make $11.7M this season. That’s a big number since the team is trying to shed $55 million to get back under the salary cap this offseason.
Next offseason the Bucs have to make some big decisions on extensions for players like Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr., as well as decide on the future of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. If White is already on the bubble in the mind of the front office, then moving him this offseason makes a lot of sense.
Here’s where things get tricky.
The Bucs would not save a single penny on White’s contract if the team released him before June 1st, and would instead incur another $11.7M in dead cap space. If Tampa Bay trades White, though, it would recoup all of the money owed to him in 2023 and be able to use it to get back under that cap figure.
Going the trade route would also net the Bucs draft capital that could be used to either replace him with a rookie or used to build out the roster elsewhere.