Breaking news: Bills close in to sign Eagles outstanding former super Bowl winner in a blockbuster trade
The Philadelphia Eagles and Devin White agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $4 million during the previous offseason.
White was supposed to start as the team’s middle (MIKE) linebacker, but he was demoted to backup status after Nakobe Dean overtook him in the depth chart. He has only been utilized in two games thus far.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano thinks that White, who is expected to be reduced to a reserve position, is one of the league’s best trade candidates. In addition to mentioning the Buffalo Bills as a potential trade partner, Graziano mentioned two additional AFC teams.
Regarding White, Graziano wrote: “He was a healthy inactive for the Week 2 Monday night game against the Falcons, but he sat out the first game of the season due to an ankle injury.”
“He’d be an incredibly cheap veteran option for a team in need, as more than half of the $4 million the Eagles gave him came in the form of a signing bonus.”
Over the course of the previous five seasons, White, 26, has started 75 games, all of which have been with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He totaled 83 tackles (five for loss), 9 quarterback hits, 6 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, and 2.5 sacks in 14 games (13 starts) with Tampa Bay the previous season.
After the 2020 season, White won a Super Bowl with the Bucs. Over the previous five years, he has been a valuable starter and contributor at linebacker. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and the second team All-Pro in 2020.
The Eagles may have a few suitors if they decided to deal him. The Bills were Graziano’s most likely trade partner for White because of the LB position’s recent ailments.
“They lost Terrel Bernard to a pectoral strain in Week 2 against Miami, and Matt Milano to a torn biceps in the preseason,” Graziano said. “Buffalo’s second and third defensive line levels could use more veteran assistance. Patriots and Raiders also make logic.
Would White be joining the Eagles? He was merely a healthy scratch in Week 2, so it’s definitely possible. LB Zack Baun, another free agent the Eagles added this offseason, received a $1.6 million, one-year contract and has performed admirably thus far.
The Eagles have veteran Oren Burks, fifth-round pick Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and Ben VanSumeren as depth behind Baun and Dean. It’s not crazy to believe that if a team expressed interest, Philly might let go.
The appearance of LB Encouragement Sign for Eagles from Nakobe Dean
Dean was selected by the Eagles in the third round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. Despite playing only 34 defensive snaps as a rookie, Dean was present in all 17 games. He was hindered throughout his sophomore campaign by back and foot issues. He only participated in five games.
The third-year linebacker says he feels better than ever now that he’s healthy.
“After all of it, I feel better. According to the team’s official website, Dean stated in August that he felt like he had improved from his first two years.
“I’m getting older and more mature, so I’m taking care of a lot of the small things that need to be done before and after practice in order to prepare my body for playing 17 games, 20 games, or 21 games this season. I’m pushing my way back after being pushed by it.
This season, he has started both of the Eagles’ games and totaled 11 tackles (2 for loss) and a pass defensed. Though it’s early, he should eventually be able to establish himself on the defense provided he can maintain his health.
