The Detroit Lions are bringing in veteran linebacker Devin White. The move adds much-needed depth to the defense and a veteran presence. The signing should help Detroit improve after a disappointing season in which the Lions went from the 7th-ranked defense in 2024 to the 22nd in 2025.
White was selected 5th overall in the 2019 draft out of LSU after an incredible college career. During his time at LSU, he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, made the First-team All-SEC twice, was a Second-team All-American in 2017, a Consensus All-American in 2018, and won the Butkus award given out to the nation’s top linebacker in 2018.
His dominance carried over to the pros as he was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team in 2019. He is a one-time Pro Bowler, getting the nod in 2021, was named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2020, and was a part of the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV title team.
After spending the first 5 seasons of his career in Tampa Bay, White signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year $7.5 million deal, but never appeared in a game before he was released in October of 2024. He signed with the Houston Texans but only appeared in seven games, recording 19 tackles. He had a bounce-back year last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, recording 174 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Now, White will try to continue to revitalize his career with a Lions team that has Super Bowl aspirations. Detroit was 15-2 in 2024 and looked like one of the best teams in the league, but lost in the Divisional round to the Washington Commanders. The 2025 season was not as kind to the Dan Campbell-led squad, as they went 9-8 and missed the playoffs, in part due to their regression on defense.
Source: Life – Fitness – mensjournal
