Devin White thrown under the bus by Bucs GM Jason Licht despite Super Bowl win with Tom Brady

The 2020 NFL season was defined by the remarkable run of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as the Tom Brady-led squad captured the Super Bowl title with a dominant win over Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs. Linebacker Devin White was a key figure in that championship defense, yet GM Jason Licht doesn’t seem to hold the fondest memories.

The former LSU standout arrived in Tampa with plenty of hype and energy, quickly making an impact in the Bucs’ locker room. But over time, that spark began to fade as the seasons wore on. Years after White’s departure from the franchise, Licht admitted that—if it had been up to him—the ending would’ve looked very different.

In a recent interview with Dan Pompei of The Athletic, the general manager spoke candidly, opening up about White’s situation and his time with the team: “Knowing what I know now, he would have been off my board. It was too much about him.”

Despite winning Super Bowl LV alongside Tom Brady, Devin White’s development took a noticeable dip in the years that followed, ultimately culminating in his departure to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.

Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Arlington, Texas.

From prominence to setbacks

Once a key defensive leader on a Super Bowl-winning team, Devin White’s career has taken a dramatic turn. After helping the Buccaneers to a championship and earning a Pro Bowl nod, his performance and relationship with the team soured, leading to his departure from Tampa Bay.

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The 2024 season was a difficult one for the former first-round pick, who bounced around the league with brief, unproductive stints on the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans, a stark contrast to his past success.

With a new opportunity now with the Las Vegas Raiders, White is looking to rebuild his reputation and prove that he can still be the dynamic, game-changing player he once was.

A title for the story

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV victory was a perfect storm of veteran leadership and youthful exuberance. While quarterback Tom Brady rightly earned the MVP award for his masterful performance, the defense, led by a ferocious Devin White, was the true key to shutting down the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs.

White was everywhere, showcasing his incredible speed and instincts, ultimately sealing the championship with a game-clinching interception of Patrick Mahomes. It was a career-defining moment for the young linebacker and a testament to the seamless integration of a future Hall of Fame quarterback with a talented, hungry defense.