Oh, did anyone say the Eagles want a linebacker?
Howie was listening.
The Eagles on Thursday night agreed to phrases with former Professional Bowl linebacker Devin White on a one-year free company deal price as much as $7.5 million together with incentives. The transfer was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and confirmed by NBC Sports activities Philadelphia.
White, who simply turned 26 final month, was the fifth decide within the 2019 draft and a five-year starter for the Buccaneers. He was a 2nd-team All-Professional in 2020 and made the Professional Bowl in 2021.
White was on the Buccaneers workforce that beat the Chiefs in Tremendous Bowl LV in Tampa and likewise performed in playoff wins over the Eagles in 2021 and 2023.
Though it is solely a one-year deal, it is nonetheless a major transfer for a common supervisor who not often spends far more than minimal wage on off-ball linebackers. The final one was Nigel Bradham, who received a five-year, $40 million extension in 2018. He solely performed two of these seasons.
In 5 seasons in Tampa, White began 76 of a doable 83 video games and had three interceptions, 21 go deflections, 23 sacks, 566 tackles, 40 tackles for loss and 64 quarterback hits.
One in all his two interceptions final 12 months got here in Week 3 off Jalen Hurts contained in the Bucs’ 20-yard-line in a sport the Eagles gained 25-11 in Tampa.
In case you by no means thought you’d see an offseason the place Roseman spent cash on a Professional Bowl operating again and a Professional Bowl linebacker, get in line.
However determined instances name for determined measures and after the Eagles collapsed final 12 months, Roseman knew it was time to do some issues in a different way than he has in previous years.
On Monday, the Eagles agreed to phrases of a three-year, $37.75 million contract with Saquon Barkley, the primary long-term big-money contract Roseman has give to a operating again since he prolonged LeSean McCoy in 2012.
White requested a commerce earlier than coaching camp final summer time after he and the Bucs have been unable to barter a brand new contract. However with the Bucs sitting at 2-0 in late September, he had a change of coronary heart.
“This protection is so enjoyable to be part of,” he wrote on social media. “I am silly for attempting to go away!”
You at all times take Professional Soccer Focus grades with just a little grain of salt, however White final 12 months ranked 64th of 66 off-ball linebackers who performed a minimum of 500 snaps with a 46.0 total grade.
However the Eagles are determined for linebacker assist after biking by way of six starters final 12 months – Nicholas Morrow (12 begins), Zach Cunningham (10 begins), Nakobe Dean (4 begins), Shaquille Leonard (three begins) and Christian Ellis and Ben VanSumeren (one begin). Of that group, solely Dean and VanSumeren are at the moment on the roster.
The Eagles ranked close to the underside in just about each defensive class final 12 months, together with factors allowed (30th, 25.6 per sport), passing yards (31st, 253 per sport) and complete yards (356 per sport), first downs (21 per sport, 29th) and threerd-down conversions (30th, 48 %).
The Eagles haven’t had a Professional Bowl off-ball linebacker since Jeremiah Trotter in 2004.
White is the fourth defensive addition Roseman has made since Monday. The Eagles signed edge Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million contract, edge/linebacker/particular teamer Zack Baum to a one-year deal, d-back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to a three-year deal price as much as $33 million and likewise re-signed Brandon Graham to a one-year deal.
Their defensive losses to date embrace Fletcher Cox, who retired, and defensive backs Kevin Byard and Avonte Maddox, who have been launched. Morrow signed with the Payments, though the Eagles had no real interest in bringing him again.
On offense, the Eagles have signed inside lineman Matt Hennessy and receiver DeVante Parker along with Barkley.
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