The date that NFL teams need to make up their minds on picking up fifth year options from the 2019 rookie class is May 2nd. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not need that long. They have chosen to pick up the fifth year option for linebacker Devin White, according to NBC Sports.

The deal is reportedly worth a little over $11 million. However, the Buccaneers have structured White's contract in a wise way. Over his first three seasons, White has earned under $1 million in base salary, with a couple million more in roster bonuses. But they were able to prorate the signing bonuses to keep from hitting against the salary cap.

That will end in 2022 as White will earn over $9 million this season, 4.5 percent of the team's cap space. Instead of opting to sign White to a long-term contract, the Buccaneers took the easy route by simply picking up his option.

Devin White took a slight step back in production in 2021. The Tampa Bay linebacker racked up nine sacks and 140 tackles in his second season in 2020, earning Pro Bowl honors. But in 2021, he only notched three and a half sacks and 128 tackles, despite playing in all 17 games.

Despite the relative dip in production, Tampa Bay clearly still believes in White's potential and ability. Designating almost five percent of your cap space to a linebacker is nothing to sneeze at.

It is shaping up to be an interesting offseason for the Buccaneers. The retirement of Tom Brady leaves a huge hole in the offense. Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul and Leonard Fournette are all slated to becoe free agents.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might look very different in 2022.