Devin White Posts Cryptic Message On Social Media

Bucs inside linebacker Devin White posted a cryptic message on social media Monday that has fans and some within the organization scratching their heads. NFL reporter Ari Meirov tweeted out a few of White’s curious screenshots.

The first screenshot is a picture of White lacing up cleats in the locker room with the caption: “Thank Ya 🏴‍☠️ ✌🏾” that could be taken as the linebacker saying “peace out, Bucs” or simply – and literally – saying “thank you, Bucs.”

The second screenshot is a picture of a sign that reads: “God isn’t asking you to figure it out. He’s asking you to trust that he already has.” Underneath the sign is a caption that reads: “Next Stop 🏁”

Is White insinuating that he’s angling for a trade out of town? Or is he just letting God take control in 2023 and see what happens as he enters a big fifth-year option season?

The third screenshot is an action picture of Devin White in all pewter with the caption: “4 year went by fast … 🦍”

Is Devin White Angling For A Contract Extension Right Now?

Bucs ILB Devin White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

So is White unhappy in Tampa Bay and wants a trade? Or does he want a contract extension this year instead of playing on his fifth-year option?

White, the Bucs’ first-round pick in 2019, is scheduled to make $11.76 million this year in his fifth-year option season. Before he was the fifth overall pick five years ago, White suggested he would be a $100 million player by the time his contract is up.

White, a Super Bowl champion in 2020 and a Pro Bowler in 2021, saw Roquan Smith, a former first-round pick by the Bears in 2018, cash in on a rich contract extension last fall.

Smith was traded to the Ravens, where he received a five-year extension worth $100 million, including $45 million fully guaranteed and featuring $60 million in total guarantees. That makes Smith the league’s highest-paid linebacker.

With another good season, White could match or top that figure and become the league’s second $20 million per year linebacker in 2024. Back in February, Pewter Report’s cap expert Josh Queipo reported on what White’s contract extension could look like.

With the Bucs needing some salary cap room, the team could decide to do a contract extension early to reduce his 2023 cap hit and save a few million in cap space. Tampa Bay placed the fifth-year option tag on Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea for the 2022 season but came to terms on an early extension near the end of the 2021 campaign.

What Did The Devin White Posts Mean?

As it turns out, White was just reflecting on his Bucs career – so far. After Fox Sports NFC South writer Greg Auman posted some of White’s screenshots and said: “Some cryptic posts on Instagram from Bucs linebacker Devin White” the linebacker replied with: “Reflecting on how fast my first four years went by, def a thanks to Bucs fans “good & mean ones lol 😂” The upside is scary 💪🏾”

White followed up with another retweet of a Bucs fan with his jersey on and said: “Next year we gone rock out even harder’ I promise you #GETLIVE45 #GEAUXBUCS 🤠 🏴‍☠️”

If White has the season he’s preparing to have, he’ll be quite the rich man about this time next year – and locked up in red and pewter for several more years in Tampa Bay.