Buccaneers named potential landing spot for Devin White trade

Sometimes people need to spend time apart to realize what they really want. We've seen it in life, we see it all the time in sports and maybe we'll see it with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers too.

The theme of the offseason this year was reunion. Jason Licht spent almost the entire budget bringing back guys, from Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans to signing Jordan Whitehead after spending the last two seasons with the Jets. Lavonte David returned, Chase McLaughlin was re-signed, and the band's key members remained together.

Devin White was notably not part of that group.

Things started to get out of hand for him back in April last year. He requested a trade after not hearing numbers he liked in contract negotiations, and things otherwise went non-stop downhill from there.

White followed his request for a trade and delivered one of his most disappointing seasons. He was injured, inconsistent on the field, and ultimately lost his starting spot to KJ Britt. This led to the Bucs not even offering him a new contract before he left in free agency, and he ended up signing with the Eagles.

Things haven't gotten much better since he arrived in Philly. White did not win the starting job over Nakobe Dean and was inactive in the Eagles' first four games. All of this has led to speculation that his time in Philadelphia could be short-lived, which could pave the way for a truly unexpected reunion.

Bleacher Report has compiled a list of potential trade candidates and where they could end up. This led them to address something Bucs fans have been whispering about for several weeks.

Devin White was obviously left out of the picture in Philadelphia. So what if Tampa Bay decided to bring him back and try to rebuild a relationship again?

“A move back to Tampa could make sense given his familiarity with the defensive system and the Bucs' struggles against the run. They allowed an average of 5.0 yards per carry through the first four weeks.”

There were already rumors about White at the end of training camp, suggesting that he was in the final squad bubble. If the Eagles won't let him play, which seems obvious at this point, then trading him seems to be in the best interest of everyone involved.

White is a good player, which is why it was so frustrating to watch his decline in Tampa Bay. The fact that he never seemed willing to take responsibility for his struggles only added to the fear, but there's no reason why fences can't be mended.

The Bucs need White more than the Eagles and have a place for him to prove himself in a way he failed to do last year. The defense has been hit by injuries so far this year, with Antoine Winfield Jr., Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea all missing games. SirVocea Dennis was placed on IR after last week's win and the depth won't be seriously tested until a quarter of the way into the season.

Bringing White back carries risks, but no team is as familiar with them as the Bucs, and perhaps no team is as well-equipped to help him snap out of his panic. Coaches know him, Todd Bowles loved him and there is a baseline of respect in the locker room to build on.

White is burned out, there is no other way to say it. That doesn't mean he can't rise from the ashes, and the best way to get back on the fans' side is to come back and help the team in a way he didn't last year .

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