Nightcap Hour 2: Devin White EXPLAINS LEAVING Tampa + Caleb Williams Doesn’t Meet LEGEND Aikman + Unc BLASTS Pat Bev for BLAMING Russ Struggles on Lakers

Date: October 16, 2025
Hosts: Shannon Sharpe ("Unc"), Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson
Guests: Devin White (Las Vegas Raiders LB)
Podcast: Nightcap (iHeartPodcasts & Shay Shay Media)

Overview

This Nightcap episode dives into Devin White’s departure from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NFL business side, and his transition to the Las Vegas Raiders. The hosts also react to reports that Caleb Williams and broadcasting legend Troy Aikman didn’t meet pre-game, analyze why Pat Beverley blames the Lakers for Russell Westbrook’s struggles, and touch on LeBron James' injury and longevity. As always, Shannon and Ocho keep it candid, unfiltered, and personal, sharing both hot sports takes and behind-the-scenes stories.

Featured Guest: Devin White Opens Up on His NFL Journey

1. Leaving Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Why It Happened

• White’s Perspective: Devin White says he didn’t want to leave Tampa but felt the organization wouldn’t "give up that bag" (02:32).
  • “After my fourth year...I wanted what was due. I felt like I did everything right there – on the field, off the field, in the community, being a team captain every year. And when I asked to get me, you know, I got looked at crazy.”
• Business Reality: He notes that even being an All-Pro and winning a Super Bowl doesn’t guarantee organizations will pay up (03:55).
  • Ochocinco: “Even with the numbers, even when you do things right...when it’s time to get paid, they always look at you funny.”
  • Devin White: “That made my hurt hurt a lot worse because I had already started counting my eggs that didn’t hatch yet in Tampa...I was dialed in, still got a place there, and was about to buy another spot across.”

2. Brady Era in Tampa

• Gave insight into the atmosphere when Tom Brady joined (06:01)
  • “Your play level just go up times 20...you want to meet his standard.”
  • Discussed focus on disguising coverages to challenge Brady in practice: “That helped us...we was grooming ourselves to perfection with our disguises because you got to trick him some way.” (08:22)

3. Unpacking the Philly Detour

• White didn’t find his fit with the Eagles after leaving Tampa (09:38).
  • “I went there with a fresh mind...but after the second preseason game, Coach Vic said: ‘We’re going to go Nicobi.’ I respected it. Just wasn’t the fit, you know, I wasn’t who they wanted.”

4. Arriving in Las Vegas

• Explains adjusting to a new defensive scheme with the Raiders (11:36)
  • “I started off playing Mike...now I’m back at Will...my first game at straight Will this past week, Rush got a turnover. I was able to go get it.”
• Hopeful the Raiders will “find their identity” with defensive-minded coaches collaborating (12:55).

5. Playing Style, Mentality, & Stats

• On the pressure/blitz role: “When they, when they bring you on pressure, you arrive in a hurry and you arriving with bad intentions...turnovers win games” (13:31).
• “I got the most off-ball sacks as a linebacker with like 24, 25...and that’s missing a year.”

6. Life Beyond Football: Horses and Healing

• White is passionate about horses, owning “about 60” and running a stable (22:42).
  • “The Amish people...spend their green on horses...I’m trying to be a part of that culture too.”
• Horses were a coping mechanism after losing his brother young: “Horses have always been a good coping factor for me...now my son enjoys it too. We kind of make a hobby out of it.” (20:13)
• On his business: “Get Live Stables, LLC. We doing it for real. I got a whole...I’m in the business.” (22:47)
• Still has roots in Tampa: “They got rid of me in Tampa, I still got my roots there.” (26:39)

NFL & College Football Commentary

1. Caleb Williams & Troy Aikman Production Meeting “Controversy”

[30:03]

• Clip: Caleb Williams explains missing pre-game production meeting with Aikman due to team obligations and failed attempts to coordinate—a minor issue in the hosts’ minds.
• Shannon: “It’s very rare that the quarterback does not do production meeting…it’s the one guy you have to talk to.”
• Ochocinco: “I think it’s nothing…he wasn’t available…just prior obligations.”
• Both agree: Not an issue going forward; more a hiccup than a sign of attitude or disrespect.

2. Pat Beverley Blames Lakers for Russell Westbrook’s Decline

[35:11]

• Pat Bev passionately claims: “Russ got a bad take because of that Lakers team…Ever since Russ left the Lakers, he’s been on a minimum.”
• Shannon disputes the Lakers are to blame:
  • “I was…very vocal, like, nah, it ain’t gonna work. But y’all keep saying Shannon don’t like Russ. Don’t…Utah bought him out, Clippers didn’t resign him, Nuggets didn’t… Is that the Lakers’ fault?”
• Ochocinco frames it as sports business reality: “Regardless of your resume…at some point, everything declines. When it does, they don’t care about what you did in the past, what can you offer me right now?”

3. LeBron’s Longevity & Injury

• LeBron is in year 23; injury update (50:22)
  • “You don’t recover like you once could…an injury that would keep you down a week, keep your ass down two weeks to a month.”
• Witty home remedies, with Ochocinco recommending “witch hazel and mayonnaise” for LeBron’s sciatica (52:06).

4. On Great Players, Landing Spots, and Legacy

• Shannon on context: “It helps…you need teammates, you need great coaching. But had Michael Jordan not got Phil Jackson, would Michael Jordan still not be great?” (60:03)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Devin White (On leaving Tampa):
  “I felt like I did everything right there...and when I asked to get me, you know, I got looked at crazy." (02:32)

• Ochocinco (NFL business):
  “You always got to fight tooth and nail for your value. Despite the numbers, they gonna find something.” (03:55)

• Devin White (On Tom Brady's impact):
  “When you get a person like him in the building, your play level just go up times 20…you want to meet his standard.” (07:21)

• Devin White (Practices with Brady):
  “The secondary wanted to get a pick off Brady…he has seen so many looks in his life. So that’s what made our defense even better.” (08:22)

• Devin White (Horses & coping):
  “Horses have always been a good coping factor for me…now my son enjoys it too. We kind of make a hobby out of it.” (20:13)

• Pat Beverley (on Russ):
  “You tell me this man can’t get on the team, all because he’s passionate…Russell Westbrook was the best teammate I ever had.” (36:01)

• Shannon Sharpe (on star declines):
  “If you play long enough, it’ll happen to everybody.” (45:43)

• On landing spots:
  “Had Michael Jordan not got Phil Jackson…would Michael Jordan still not be great? We don't know.” (60:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Devin White joins the show: [00:36]
• Why Devin White left Tampa: [01:47–05:56]
• Life with Tom Brady in Tampa: [06:01–08:22]
• The failed Philly stint: [09:29–11:07]
• Adjusting to the Raiders: [11:09–15:16]
• Horse passion and business: [17:38–24:45]
• College football, LSU prospects: [24:45–25:46]
• Caleb Williams–Troy Aikman discussion: [29:52–33:19]
• Pat Beverly on Russ Westbrook: [35:11–44:18]
• LeBron’s injury and aging: [50:22–54:25]
• Q&A, fan shoutouts, birthday wishes: [61:03–65:14]

Final Thoughts

This episode is packed with genuine, unvarnished locker-room perspective. Devin White’s candid discussion on NFL business and his personal journey humanizes the often transactional nature of pro football. Ocho and Unc’s chemistry is on full display as they break down sports news, hype the real struggles of aging stars, and draw the line between fan perceptions and industry reality. Whether you care about X’s and O’s, player business, or off-field passions, this Nightcap episode brings the heat, heart, and humor.