The Broncos’ defence has been the main reason they’ve been able to keep their heads above water, but it may need to be upgraded, according to Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine, who believes they should sign former Super Bowl champion and NFL All-Pro linebacker Devin White.
White was recently released by the Philadelphia Eagles after signing a one-year, $4 million free agent contract in the summer but not being added to the active roster for the first five games.
“Denver’s defence has allowed the Broncos to remain competitive even with an offence that has struggled at times with rookie Bo Nix under centre,” Ballentine told reporters. “Linebacker injuries have made it more difficult to maintain that level of defence. Drew Sanders went on the PUP list before the season began, and Alex Singleton was placed on the injured reserve list. The Eagles recently released Devin White. He didn’t make the active roster for any of their games this season, but he’s a former Pro Bowler whose athleticism has given him the opportunity to make some big plays.
White was one of the NFL’s elite linebackers.
White was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2019, after the Buccaneers selected him fifth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. He won a Super Bowl, was named an NFL All-Pro in 2020, and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.
That’s why the drop down in his play was so noticeable – and rather puzzling.
In 2022, White missed a career-high 16 tackles and was often targeted in the passing game, allowing a staggering 120.5 passer rating.
White entered the offseason in search of a contract extension that would place him among the NFL’s highest-paid inside linebackers in 2023. The Buccaneers chose to pick up the fifth-year option on his deal, which would pay him $11.7 million in 2023, and they firmly refused to move him.
White’s worst season as a pro came in 2023. He missed three games, a career high, and ended with 83 tackles, his lowest total.
White wanted to be ‘dominant’ with eagles
White was open about accepting less money to play in Philadelphia in 2024, where he believed he might eventually become a “dominant” player again.
“Rather taking such and such with another team that don’t have the pieces around to allow me to become even better,” White told The Pivot podcast on August 6. “For me, I know I have to rebuild myself and show I can be that dominant middle linebacker … to be on a great team that’s going to be great in the future and I want to be around long term.”
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Eagles had soured on White even before the season began.
“(Philadelphia) explored trading (White) in preseason,” Fowler said on his official X account on October 8. “It just didn’t work out for the former Pro Bowler in Philly.”
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