Lavonte David Addresses His Bucs Future

Even though he just turned 34 years old, Bucs inside linebacker Lavonte David has shown no signs of slowing down. Throughout this past season, he was as good as ever, and he remains a cornerstone piece on defense. Even more so, he is one of the most important leaders on the team and is a fan favorite in the city of Tampa.

On Thursday, David was a guest on the Ronnie and TKras show on 95.3 WDAE and discussed this past season, his potential return, if he wants to retire as a Buccaneer, and what he would do if he was general manager Jason Licht.

Lavonte David On 2023: “It Definitely Was A Fun Year For Me”

Inside linebackers in their 30s should not be able to do the things that Lavonte David did this past season. It is a tough, demanding position to play, but don’t tell that to David.

He continued to get the better of Father Time and truly played timeless football in 2023 as he recorded 134 total tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Statistically speaking, last season was on par with his best seasons as a pro, and he demonstrated that he can still go out there and do his thing.

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today

“Just trying to stay consistent and just keep working on my craft,” David said reflecting on the season. “Understanding the game more, figuring out offenses and just having fun at the end of the day. Playing with a lot of passion, playing with a lot of energy, and giving my all for all of the guys out there that I play with. It’s just a fun group of guys who I enjoy playing next to.

“That’s probably the main thing and just taking care of my body, trying to stay healthy. Unfortunately, I did miss two games this year, but it was not anything serious. I was able to get back and pick up where I left off. It definitely was a fun year for me – playing at that type of level at 33 years old – a lot of people don’t expect that but my whole mindset is as long as I’m feeling good I’m going to go out there and do my thing.”

There is no question that David still possesses great value as a player and a leader, but he will enter free agency in a few weeks when the new league year begins. That begs the question – has he spoken with the Bucs about a return, and does he want to remain a lifelong Buccaneer?

Lavonte David Loves The City Of Tampa, Wants To Retire With The Bucs

In the middle of his interview on the Ronnie and TKras Show, Lavonte David was asked if he has talked with the team about returning for another year. Much like what happens on the gridiron, David knows how this game goes and thinks things will ramp up soon.

“We haven’t really spoken about that but everybody – we know how it goes right now,” David said about his return. “I’m 12 years in, I know how the game goes, they know. I just go from there. Whenever they’re ready, they’ll reach out. Right now I’m just trying to keep myself ready, try to stay ready, and just get my body back feeling good because when you’re off for a long time then it’s harder to get back in shape or whatever it may be. To answer your question, no we haven’t talked but I’m sure [conversations] will come up soon.”

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

At this point, it will be a year-by-year case on whether David continues to don the red and pewter. By the way he made it sound, it sounds like it is Tampa Bay or nothing for the longtime franchise icon. He has established deep roots in the city, and that is something he is grateful for and wants to continue growing and nurturing.

“Yeah, you could say that,” David said about being a lifelong Buccaneer. “It’s at a point right now in my career – twelve years playing with one organization – a place where I’ve grown to be a man. Where I started as a young man and I grew up to a man in the city of Tampa. Just the love that the city of Tampa has for me and the love that I have for the city of Tampa. All the stuff that I poured into the city I love doing.

“I love doing my community stuff in Tampa, and just the organization for having faith in me and for having me stick around for this long of a time. The relationship that I gained throughout the city of Tampa. Of course, I would want to do that, I would want to stay a Buc for the rest of my career as long as I play. At the end of the day, I do want to retire a Buc, but it just has to be a mutual thing.”

What Would GM Lavonte David Do?

Bucs ILB Lavonte David and WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

It’s safe to say that Bucs general manager Jason Licht has his work cut out for him this offseason. Not only does he have to work on coming to terms with Lavonte David, but he also has other big free agents to try and retain.

That includes quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans, and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Oh, and also potentially giving left tackle Tristan Wirfs a market-resetting contract extension before he plays on his fifth-year option.

If David had on his general manager cap he admitted that it would be a difficult choice, but he was honest about who he would bring back first.

“Oh man that’s tough, I’m emotionally attached to all of those dudes,” David said with a laugh. “Everybody that I love. Mike, Devin [White], Bake. Even though Bake was first year, Bake was a great dude and he is a great guy. Tweez, Antoine Winfield, I’d even throw Tristan Wirfs in there. Get him his deal, get his deal out of the way.

“But if you want to be honest, I got to go Mike Evans. My boy Mike! I love Mike, man, we have an awesome relationship just the way I’ve seen Mike grow from his rookie year to now as a football player and as a man, and then understanding how he carries himself. I would love to reward him with what he deserves and then obviously, the consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards receiving. That’s a no-brainer.”

Much like it is with Mike Evans, if Lavonte David wants to return, it should be a no-brainer for the Bucs to bring him back for another season. David continued to show why he is one of the best inside linebackers in the game, and it remains evident just how much he means a lot to the organization on and off the field.