Tampa Bay defensive end Greg White has temporarily backed away from demanding a trade after the Bucs said they would be interested in offering him another contract.

Jack Bechta, White’s agent, previously stated if Tampa Bay did not extend his client a new contract before Saturday’s draft, he would ask for a trade. When reached late Thursday night, Bechta said he had dialogue with the team and cautiously added “We won’t be pushing for a trade ‘right now.’”

Bechta declined to give details about Tampa Bay’s new contract tender, or reveal the names of other teams interested in White’s services. The Bucs, and White, declined to comment when reached on Thursday.

White is an exclusive rights free agent, meaning Tampa Bay is the only team that can negotiate with him, but was dissatisfied with the Bucs’ contract offer. The Bucs, who were under the salary cap by more than $40 million at the start of free agency, offered White a contract of $370,000 in February, a slight improvement on the $285,000 base salary he earned last season. White has not signed it because he wanted a better offer.

Bechta previously said they were seeking either a long-term deal, or an incentive-laden short-term contract, before this weekend’s draft. Thursday’s backtracking by Bechta likely means the Bucs are willing to offer something more lucrative.

If Tampa Bay does not offer White a new contract, or trade him, his only other option is to sit out.

White had 45 tackles, 8.0 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last season, arguably the best performance by a Bucs defensive lineman.
He accomplished that after playing for the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League and entering the NFL without any substantial offseason rest.