Head coach DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans
The Houston Texans made a significant addition to their defense on Wednesday, signing former Pro Bowl linebacker Devin White, who was recently released by the Philadelphia Eagles. White, 26, brings a wealth of experience and playmaking ability to the Texans, a team looking to bolster its defense during a challenging season.
White signed with the Eagles during free agency on a one-year, $4 million contract but never saw game action in Philadelphia. He was inactive for the first four games of the season and missed the fifth against his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, due to personal reasons. After parting ways with White, the Eagles released him ahead of the trade deadline, allowing him to choose his next destination rather than being subject to waivers.
Now in Houston, White has a chance to reignite his career. The former Buccaneers linebacker made a name for himself early on, being named to the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2019 and following that with a standout 2020 season. White led the Bucs with 140 tackles and 9 sacks in the regular season and was a key part of Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. His postseason performance was legendary, including 38 combined tackles and two interceptions, one of which was a pick-six against Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl.
White earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021 after finishing with 128 tackles and 3.5 sacks, continuing his rise as one of the league’s most impactful linebackers. In 2022, despite battling foot and groin injuries, White still managed 124 tackles and 5.5 sacks. However, those injuries and a dip in production down the stretch led to him losing his starting role with the Bucs and eventually requesting a trade before the season.
Now with the Texans, White has an opportunity to reclaim his form as a top-tier linebacker. Houston, eager to turn their season around, will be counting on White’s leadership and playmaking ability to help stabilize their defense. If he can return to his Pro Bowl level, the Texans might have found a game-changing piece to build around.
For White, this fresh start in Houston could be exactly what he needs to revitalize his career and prove that he’s still one of the league’s elite defensive talents.
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