Eagles sign former Bucs Pro Bowl linebacker Devin White – NBC Sports Philadelphia

Oh, did someone say the Eagles need a linebacker?

Howie was listening.

The Eagles on Thursday night agreed to terms with former Pro Bowl linebacker Devin White on a one-year free agency deal worth up to $7.5 million including incentives. The move was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter and confirmed by NBC Sports Philadelphia.

White, who just turned 26 last month, was the fifth pick in the 2019 draft and a five-year starter for the Buccaneers. And it was 2^{Second abbreviation}-All-Pro team in 2020 and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.

White was on the Buccaneers team that beat the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV in Tampa and also played in the playoff victories over the Eagles in 2021 and 2023.

Even though it's only a one-year deal, it's still an important move for a general manager who rarely spends more than minimum wage on off-ball midfielders. The most recent was Nigel Bradham, who received a five-year, $40 million extension in 2018. He played just two of those seasons.

In five seasons in Tampa, White started 76 of a possible 83 games and had three interceptions, 21 pass deflections, 23 sacks, 566 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, and 64 quarterback hits.

One of his two interceptions last year came in Week 3 off Jalen Hurts inside the Bucs' 20-yard line in a game the Eagles won 25-11 in Tampa.

If you never thought you'd see an offseason where Roseman spent money on a Pro Bowl running back and a Pro Bowl quarterback, join the line.

But desperate times call for desperate measures, and after the Eagles' collapse last year, Roseman knew it was time to do some things differently than in years past.

On Monday, the Eagles agreed to terms on a three-year, $37.75 million contract with Saquon Barkley, the first long-term, big-money contract given to Roseman since he extended LeSean McCoy in 2012.

White requested a trade before training camp last summer after he and the Bucs were unable to negotiate a new contract. But with the Bucs sitting 2-0 in late September, his mind changed.

“So much fun to be a part of this defense,” he wrote on social media. “I'm stupid for trying to leave!”

You always take Pro Football Focus grades with a pinch of salt, but White ranked 64th last year^y Among the 66 off-ball linebackers who played at least 500 snaps, the overall grade is 46.0.

But the Eagles are in desperate need of linebacker help after cycling through six starters last year — Nicolas Morrow (12 starts), Zach Cunningham (10 starts), Nakobi Dean (four starts), Shaquille Leonard (three starts), Christian Ellis and Ben VanSumren. (One start). Of that group, only Dean and VanSumeren are currently on the roster.

The Eagles ranked near the bottom in nearly every defensive category last year, including points allowed (30^y25.6 per game), yards (31^street253 per game), total yards (356 per game), first downs (21 per game, 29^y) and 3^{Research and development}– Bottom transfers (30^y48 percent).

The Eagles haven't had an off-ball linebacker make the Pro Bowl since Jeremiah Trotter in 2004.

White is the fourth defensive addition Roseman has made since Monday. The Eagles signed edge rusher Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million contract, special teams player Zach Baum to a one-year deal, and linebacker Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to a three-year deal worth up to $33 million and also re-signed Brandon Graham to a one-year deal. .

Their defensive losses so far include Fletcher Cox, who retired, and defensive backs Kevin Byard and Avonte Maddox, who were released. Morrow signed with the Bills, although the Eagles had no interest in bringing him back.

On offense, the Eagles signed interior lineman Matt Hennessy and receiver DeVante Parker in addition to Barkley.

Subscribe to Eagle Eye wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcast | YouTube music | Spotify | stitch | Art19 | RSS | Watch on YouTube