Lions boost defense with Devin White signing

The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with veteran linebacker Devin White on a one-year contract, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. White, now entering his eighth NFL season, gives Detroit’s defense another experienced option behind the team’s expected starters.

The 28-year-old was selected No. 5 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2019 NFL Draft and quickly became a core contributor. In his second season, he earned second-team All-Pro honors during Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl-winning campaign. During the 2020 playoffs, White recorded two interceptions, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries across three games as the Buccaneers won the championship.

The linebacker continued his stellar production in 2021, earning Pro Bowl honors. That season, he finished with 140 tackles, nine sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits while playing alongside Lavonte David. Tampa Bay later exercised his fifth-year option, but White’s final season with the Buccaneers ended after four productive years.

White then signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year, $4 million deal in 2024 but was released during the team’s Week 5 bye without appearing in a game. He later joined the Houston Texans, playing seven games with one start. In 2025, White signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and returned to a full-time role, starting all 17 games.

During his lone season with the Raiders, White accumulated 174 tackles, ranking third in the NFL, along with 2.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, one interception, three forced fumbles and one pass breakup. It was his first time playing all 17 games since 2022.

Despite his statistical production, White has never recorded a season grade above 57.0 in Pro Football Focus evaluations. His coverage and run-defense performances have impacted his overall rankings. This past season, even after finishing among the league leaders in tackles, he ranked 82nd among 88 linebackers graded by PFF.

The Lions linebacker unit already features Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez. Campbell finished with 176 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, five quarterback hits and three forced fumbles in 2025, earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.

The signing comes after Detroit added linebacker Troy Reeder at the start of training camp and after rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder suffered a leg injury during practice. Rolder, a fourth-round pick from Michigan, is expected to miss time, creating a need for additional depth.

White is expected to compete for a reserve role while providing the Lions with another linebacker who has plenty of starting experience and a history of high tackle production.

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