Raiders sign veteran linebacker

Devin White reunites with John Spytek in Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Raiders began the week by losing out on a potential starting linebacker, yet they are ending it by securing a veteran player at the position.

Las Vegas is signing linebacker Devin White to a one-year contract. White was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 draft (he was taken one pick after the Raiders selected defensive end Clelin Ferrell) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New Las Vegas general manager John Spytek was part of the Buccaneers’ front office then. Also, of course, White was a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay with Raiders’ part owner Tom Brady.

White should get a chance to start as the Raiders need to replace Divine Deablo who signed with the Atlanta Falcons. The Raiders also saw starting middle linebacker Robert Spillane go to the New England Patriots in free agency. Elandon Roberts, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was signed to a one-year deal to replace Spillane.

Last week, the Raiders signed Christian Elliss of the Patriots to a two-year, $13.5 million restricted free agency offer sheet. The Patriots matched it Monday.

With Roberts and White signing one-year deals, expect the Raiders to still look at the draft in the early rounds for linebacker help. They also have young linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, Amari Burney and Amari Gainer, who could get a chance to develop.

While White had early success with Tampa Bay, he has become a journeyman and a role player in recent seasons. White, 27, played with Houston in 2024 and had one start in seven games played. He signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia last year, but never played there. For his career, White has played in 83 regular-season games with 76 starts.

He will get a chance to regain his starting status in his second stint under Spytek. White is the second former Tampa Bay player Spytek has signed in free agency, joining guard Alex Cappa, who is expected to start.