Oh, did someone say the Eagles need a linebacker?
Howie listened.
The Eagles agreed to terms with former Pro Bowl linebacker Devin White on a one-year free agent contract worth up to $7.5 million including incentives on Thursday night. 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. He was a 2nd-team All-Pro in 2020 and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.
White was part of the Buccaneers team that defeated the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV in Tampa and also played in playoff victories over the Eagles in 2021 and 2023.
Although it's only a one-year deal, it's still a significant move for a general manager who rarely spends much more than minimum wage on off-ball linebackers. The most recent was Nigel Bradham, who received a five-year, $40 million extension in 2018. He only played 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 against Jalen Hurts inside the Bucs' 20-yard line in a game the Eagles won 25-11 in Tampa.
If you never thought there would be an offseason where Roseman would spend money on a Pro Bowl running back and a Pro Bowl linebacker, get in line.
But desperate times call for desperate measures, and after the Eagles collapsed last year, Roseman knew it was time to do some things differently than he had in years past.
On Monday, the Eagles agreed to the terms of a three-year, $37.75 million contract with Saquon Barkley, the first long-term major contract Roseman has given a running back since extending LeSean McCoy in 2012.
White requested a trade before training camp last summer after he and the Bucs failed to negotiate a new contract. But when the Bucs were 0-2 in late September, he changed his mind.
“So much fun being a part of this defense,” he wrote on social media. “I’m stupid for trying to leave!”
People always take Pro Football Focus grades with a grain of salt, but White ranked 64th out of 66 off-ball linebackers who played at least 500 snaps last year with an overall grade of 46.0.
But the Eagles are desperate for linebacker help after having six starters last year – Nicholas Morrow (12 starts), Zach Cunningham (10 starts), Nakobe Dean (four starts), Shaquille Leonard (three starts) and Christian Ellis and Ben VanSumeren (one start). Of this group, only Dean and VanSumeren are currently on the roster.
The Eagles ranked near the bottom in virtually every defensive category last year, including points allowed (30th, 25.6 per game), passing yards (31st, 253 per game) and total yards (356 per game), first downs ( 21 per game, 29th) and 3rd-down conversions (30th, 48 percent).
The Eagles haven't had a Pro Bowl off-ball linebacker since Jeremiah Trotter in 2004.
White is the fourth defensive addition Roseman has made since Monday. The Eagles have edge Bryce Huff signed to a three-year, $51 million deal, edge/linebacker/special teamer Zack Baum to a one-year deal and D-back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to a three-year deal worth up to $33 million He also re-signed Brandon Graham to a one-year contract.
Their defensive losses so far include the retiring Fletcher Cox and the released defensive backs Kevin Byard and Avonte Maddox. Morrow signed with the Bills even though the Eagles had no interest in bringing him back.
On offense, in addition to Barkley, the Eagles also signed interior defender Matt Hennessy and receiver DeVante Parker.
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