Todd Bowles Sounds Off on Devin White's Trade Request
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Buccaneers' young, stud linebacker, Devin White, requested a trade from the organization two weeks ago in hopes of starting conversations surrounding a long-term contract extension. Following the request, general manager, Jason Licht, stated that they have no intentions on trading White and that they look forward to more from him in the future.
Since Licht's initial comments in regard to White's request, White has continued to throw shade at the front office. Now with everything seemingly out in the open, Bucs' head coach, Todd Bowles, made his first public statements regarding White's trade request at the Bruce Arians Family Foundation Gala.
"We’ve got him for another year like Jason said,” Bowles said at the Bruce Arians Family Foundation Gala, via Scott Reynolds of pewterreport.com. “We discussed it. We’re not trading him, and we’ll go from there. It’s the offseason right now, and nothing counts. We expect him to be there when the season starts.”
READ MORE: Proposed Trade Sends Former 1st Round Quarterback to Buccaneers
Bowles made it seem as if White may not be available this offseason due to the ongoing stalemate between the two sides, and it became evident that the team does not know whether or not White will be present for the Bucs' mandatory minicamp and training camp.
“That’d be up to him,” Bowles said. “We’ll just coach the guys we have there. We have a good crowd in right now. We are happy with everyone who has come in and participated.”
If White is to miss the mandatory minicamp and training camp this offseason, the Buccaneers can fine him for each day missed since he is still under contract with the team.
White has been tremendous for the Buccaneers since being drafted fifth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. He has compiled 20.5 sacks, 55 quarterback hits, 35 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, and 15 passes deflected since entering the league. White was a huge contributor on the 2020 Super Bowl winning team and also received his only Pro Bowl selection in 2021.
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