Lavonte David Is Back; Gets A Fat Raise
March 12th, 2024
Returns for 2024.
UPDATED: To the surprise of no one, one of the best Bucs defenders in franchise history will be back for at least one more season.
And he will be earning significantly more money.
Lavonte David, 34, will play again for Tampa, reports Jenna Laine of ESPN. David agreed to a one-year deal, a $9 million salary plus incentives that him up to $10 million for 2024. per NFL Network.
Last season, David also re-signed in free agency on a one-year contract that netted him $7.3 million. That’a nice bonus for a 12-year veteran. It’s also a great show of respect by the Bucs and/or evidence that David had a strong offer on the table elsewhere.
Of course, David is coming off one of the strongest seasons of his career.
So before the free agency dinner bell rings officially tomorrow afternoon, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has already re-signed Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield, Chase McLaughlin, Antoine Winfield and now David.
Licht wants a boat parade for that, so he said at the combine in Indianapolis. Get a veteran edge rusher this week and Joe will help pay for that boat rental.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Awesome. Let’s get Bobby Wagner to play in there with him?
Pat Queen getting 3 for 41 certainly set the inside linebacker rate at affordable!
March 12th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Numbers? Not that it matters, just curious.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:04 pm
Bonsai:
In the story.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:04 pm
Found it. $9 million.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Joe, oops, missed it there, lol.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:06 pm
Future HOFer.
For those that say he won’t get that because he didn’t make the BS pro-bowl enough, well, he’s a 5x Top 100 player. That is a huge number for a guy who gets zero respect nationally, and will help Ira’s pitch to get David into the hall.
Glad he’s back – he had a great year last year, like every year.
Also, as for pay, I wonder if the Bucs had some sort of handshake deal worked out last year, because he took a ridiculously low $4.5m deal – so to get a base of $9m this year is quite the raise, and good for both sides.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:08 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
March 12th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Numbers? Not that it matters, just curious.
———
Reported a base “around” $9m, with incentives up to $10m.
Based on the cap, however, those won’t be the real numbers, I’m sure they did more void years and trickery to get the number quite low, but those are the cash numbers.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:08 pm
Joe, I think you might be dreaming if you think they’re signing a pass rusher. For a price they can afford, who do you think they’re gonna get that’s better than what they have (based on expected improvement from Diaby, Watts, Ramirez)… if you think there’s a guy who can give us 8-ish sacks for under 10 million, I’m listening.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:09 pm
We signed AWJ?
March 12th, 2024 at 6:10 pm
Dear Munch,
The stats listed in the espn article and where Lavonte ranks would seem to be stronger than Evans’ has going for him imo for the hof. That’s two current near locks, also imo
March 12th, 2024 at 6:11 pm
With LVD back the Bucs need to turn their attention toward EDGE rusher, DB and interior OL.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:12 pm
Glad to see LVD returning for one more ride to glory…
$9M sounds a bit high but that’s fine.
I’m just glad he came back.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:13 pm
Dear Beej,
Tagged AWJ
March 12th, 2024 at 6:15 pm
Danielle Hunter incoming
March 12th, 2024 at 6:18 pm
Dear Marine,
Pat Queen signed 3 for 41
Quoting ESPN (just one paragraph from entire article)
David, 34, was the only player in the NFL in 2023 with 100+ tackles, 15+ tackles for a loss and 3+ sacks. David’s 17 tackles for loss are the second-most in a single season by a player age 33 or older since the stat was first tracked in 2008, behind only J.J. Watt’s 18 in 2022. David’s 1,035 solo tackles are the most of any player in the NFL since 2012 and 11th most since the NFL began tracking this metric in 1994. His 18 fumble recoveries are also the most in the NFL since 2012 while his 28 forced fumbles are fourth most.
It’s a good value for LD regardless of age
March 12th, 2024 at 6:18 pm
Nice! Gaines is also back
March 12th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Great news about Lavonte, and happy for another year! It is all coming together.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
How about we offer DW45 a bag of kibble and move him to edge?
March 12th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
Awesome…The Best… Lavonte!
March 12th, 2024 at 6:23 pm
Comforting!
Guy is absolutely AMAZING
OBP should take the unprecedented step and put his name in the ROH before the home opener.
They can have the official ceremony after he retires!
March 12th, 2024 at 6:28 pm
It’s great to have LVD back. He deserves to be in the HOF and had one of his best seasons last year. A great human being as well. I hope Joe and Ira can get LVD some recognition that he deserves.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:29 pm
With Devin Whirw likely gone…..LVD is probably a more important piece than Carlton Davis…
With 4 picks in the top 100….I’d like to see G/C……TE, RB, S……
We should pick up a vet edge rusher in FA……hopefully with an affordable salary.
Can’t expect success from a rookie…..
March 12th, 2024 at 6:34 pm
I think that leaves the Bucs with about $10 million in cap space, but not sure if that includes the signing of draft picks as well. Not a lot left in the pot for free agent signings fans are asking for. Proud of the job Licht has done! Another draft like last season and we may not need the high-priced players.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:36 pm
Very happy for LVD, for the Bucs and for us fans. He’s a baller!
March 12th, 2024 at 6:36 pm
Our Leader is Back. Now we are just an Edge Rusher, RB2, IOL, and DB away
March 12th, 2024 at 6:41 pm
Love this.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:43 pm
Hunters gone to Houston too expensive anyway. Uche from Pats still out there pass rush specialist pair him with a mid round draft pick.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:44 pm
Rookies will only require about $3.2 million in cap space unless the Bucs make moves with their draft picks.
Right now OTC has the Bucs at $10.3 M in cap space but they have not cut Shaq, Jensen, or Gage. Shaq and Jensen should be cut post June 1st otherwise the Bucs lose cap space. Gage may be cut when FA officially opens because we still gain $6 M in cap space though waiting to cut him until June 1st would net the Bucs an additional $4M
March 12th, 2024 at 6:49 pm
So need an EDGE Rusher or 2, RB2, TE1, WR3, MLB, 2 or 3 Secondary players and 2 interior OL…
Damn, how does Licht con fans into thinking he is great?
March 12th, 2024 at 6:51 pm
ATTN First Name Greatest: STFU.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:52 pm
Two of my favorite Bucs are back and no Baker is not one of them!
March 12th, 2024 at 6:54 pm
Joe … ‘Get a veteran edge rusher this week and Joe will help pay for that boat rental.’
Heck if JL signs a quality edge rusher every JBFer would chip in to help you buy him his own yacht Joe.
Jason nailed it this year: every one of our Top-5 is re-signed BEFORE free agency even starts. Plus we’ve already re-signed several good rotational/depth players like Gaines, Edmonds, and Walton. Nice start with FA & the draft still in front of us.
March 12th, 2024 at 6:54 pm
Long time season tix holder. What a cornerstone piece he has been for the franchise. A tremendous mentor for the younger guys on how to be a pro at a high level. His technique is exquisite. The Man can tackle, cover and was a beast last season. Pumped he is back
March 12th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
Well deserved, the old timer keeps playing at a really high level. If he keeps up his level of play for a couple more years he could pass Brooks in the all time tackle leaders
March 12th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
Sounds like David was mulling retirement in the off season so an expensive one year deal for potentially one last ride makes sense
March 12th, 2024 at 6:59 pm
It’s awesome that the Bucs were able to bring back all our key free agents (the ones we wanted at any rate), but we still have pretty much the same players from our 9-7 team. I hope that Licht now shifts his attention to filling the gaps on our roster. We definitely need an edge rusher, and I wouldn’t want to put all my eggs the draft basket. The Bucs have done a better job filling that need in free agency. The Bucs do however much better finding quality offensive linemen in the draft.
March 12th, 2024 at 7:00 pm
By the way, anytime I hit “Submit Comment” and I don’t go into moderation (or disappear into the netherworld), my day just got a little better.
March 12th, 2024 at 7:01 pm
Bucnjim … Bucs still have several moves we can make to create more CAP room, such as restructure Godwin, Vea & Dean. Plus doing a new contract for Wirfs MIGHT help, depending on how they structure it. The problem becomes that 2025 & beyond keep looking worse & worse the more we ‘mortgage the future’. Only way around that I think is to eventually replace the high-$$$ vets with less expensive guys on their 1st contract.
March 12th, 2024 at 7:08 pm
We’ve essentially got the same team as last year, good enough to win our division but not contending with the top teams. Bucs have to upgrade o-line and pass rushers.
March 12th, 2024 at 7:09 pm
Bucs going all in like they think the SB is in play.
Interesting – a why not us mentality.
March 12th, 2024 at 7:12 pm
Jason Licht for President. No, seriously. Dude would be far better than any of the choices we have. Love that guy.
March 12th, 2024 at 7:14 pm
@ D Rules.
What if lets say Evans and David retire after the 2024-2025 season? Won’t that free up a pretty fat amount of cap space or no?
March 12th, 2024 at 7:16 pm
Awesome!
Now they need to focus on another
DB, Edge, LB, and IOL (preferably the center from Oregon!)
March 12th, 2024 at 7:17 pm
Cmurda
LVD may retire, but I think Evan’s plays 2 years definitely and maybe they extended out to 3 which would also ease up cap Space.
Plus, the salary cap is allegedly going up next year by a big chunk like it did this year
March 12th, 2024 at 7:18 pm
Having been a Bucs fan through the Dark Ages this is a dream come true. Being able to rebuild and stay competitive is the one thing I’ve always wished for. Not many teams can pull it off, but seems like we are on the right track. Those fans wishing for 4 win seasons to land a certain player have lost their minds. Give me a winner year in and year out. In Licht we trust!
March 12th, 2024 at 7:18 pm
i personally think lavonte is a little underpaid…
i had him at 2 years 20 mil…
but maybe the buccaneer for life just wants to go forward on 1 year pacts…
also i would have paired him with queen in a heartbeat at that rate of 3 years 41 mil…i wanted queen in the building
March 12th, 2024 at 7:18 pm
any buzz or talk of devin white interest anywhere?
March 12th, 2024 at 7:19 pm
Fix the glaring hole at strong safety and add a pass rusher and this team absolutely within reach of a deep playoff run
Not sure if your aware, peaceful Trask stan, but the Bucs were nearly a game away from playing in the conference championship last year.
If not for Ryan Neals incompetence they probably wouldve made it
March 12th, 2024 at 7:19 pm
So yeah, why not us why not now
March 12th, 2024 at 7:21 pm
The ONLY place The Man belongs is here with us!
March 12th, 2024 at 7:22 pm
Who wouldn’t want Queen but that’s a lot of money to tie up in the LB positions. There’s only so much cheddar to go around. 🤑
March 12th, 2024 at 7:31 pm
First Name Greatest Says:
March 12th, 2024 at 6:49 pm
So need an EDGE Rusher or 2, RB2, TE1, WR3, MLB, 2 or 3 Secondary players and 2 interior OL…
Damn, how does Licht con fans into thinking he is great?
………
That’s one thing I will never understand on this board, why supposedly fans can be so negative. He orchestrated a SB championship, that does not even buy him some slack. He is having to work thru the cap hell he put the team in for that SB but still got another NFC South and playoff win. BUT HE HAS FOOLED EVERYONE. SMH.
March 12th, 2024 at 7:43 pm
The bucs continue to amaze!!!! Glad to see this one get done…go bucs go!!!!!!!
March 12th, 2024 at 7:47 pm
Dear coach Bowles, Licht has gotten the band back together, please put forward your best coaching job and let’s get to that Superbowl
March 12th, 2024 at 7:48 pm
cmurda Says:
March 12th, 2024 at 7:22 pm
Who wouldn’t want Queen but that’s a lot of money to tie up in the LB positions. There’s only so much cheddar to go around. 🤑
———-
Plus Bowles would just have him stand around in a zone anyways. You can get any scrub to do that for minimum wage.
March 12th, 2024 at 7:50 pm
If Jason Licht and company can nail this years draft…need oline and pass rush…need oline and pass rush…did I mention we need oline and pass rush…is we nail the draft watch out baby
March 12th, 2024 at 8:12 pm
Very comfortable with 1 year 10 mill for Lavonte.
March 12th, 2024 at 8:16 pm
Need a lot more pass rush. Some of the better free agents already gone. Granted salary cap issues, but the Saints always seem to make it work.
March 12th, 2024 at 8:22 pm
Great work, Licht. And this is a truly good man and football player. If this leads to him making his post-football life in Tampa, it will be an investment in the next 50 years of this community.
Well done, Glazers.
March 12th, 2024 at 8:27 pm
The Saints haven’t done anything since 2020 which is the year the Bucs beat them from the wildcard spot. Don’t worry their spending spree is coming to a quick end and without a Super Bowl to show for it.
March 12th, 2024 at 8:45 pm
He will probably have an even bigger year this year. He won’t have to keep an eye on D. White and try to cover his mistakes.
March 12th, 2024 at 8:52 pm
Devin has been gelded
March 12th, 2024 at 9:03 pm
Awesome news!
David is the dude.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:41 pm
Read at PR Bucs are talking to Whitehead
Lol MSN say he rates 3 years $24 mill
March 12th, 2024 at 9:48 pm
LVD is back. Love it.
Jason Licht is killing it!
Thank you JL.
Edge and trench, trench and edge. And as others have said, someone to replace incompetent Ryan Neal. What a disaster.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:50 pm
“PbnJ Says:
March 12th, 2024 at 6:13 pm
Dear Beej,
Tagged AWJ”
……………………………
“So before the free agency dinner bell rings officially tomorrow afternoon, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has already re-signed Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield, Chase McLaughlin, Antoine Winfield and now David.”
Meh
March 12th, 2024 at 10:02 pm
Reports a few days ago that David wanted a 2 year deal. Bucs wanted one year at a time like they did with R. Barber.
March 12th, 2024 at 10:11 pm
Bobby Wagner
March 12th, 2024 at 10:13 pm
Awesome! LD54 earned a big raise on the field last year – I’m glad he decided to come back and pleased that the Bucs did him right.
So Licht pulled it off.
Got all 5 of our ‘can’t lose’ Free Agents signed before free agency even officially started…
YAHTZEE!!
Boat Parade sounds complicated…
How about a celebratory pool jump instead Jason?
March 12th, 2024 at 10:18 pm
And if Lavonte David plays well for 2 more years – I don’t care how many “Pro Bowls” he doesn’t have or got screwed out of or whatever….
LD54 WILL ultimately BE A HOFer!
His stats alone will be undeniable.
Maybe he’s actually thinking about that possibility – IE: “I’ll PLAY my way in dammit”.
March 12th, 2024 at 10:31 pm
“Todd Rolls Says:
March 12th, 2024 at 10:11 pm
Bobby Wagner”
………………………..
THAT would be the coolest thing EVER. They both had similar seasons last year
March 12th, 2024 at 11:10 pm
If Devin White humbles himself and gets back to basics, he could probably return to his elite status. But, can he master the task of keeping O linemen from driving hi back like he’s on roller skates?
March 12th, 2024 at 11:13 pm
I’ll just throw these career stats out there for consideration….
Luke Kuechly – 690 Solo tackles -1092 total – 75 TFLs – 12.5 Sacks – 31 QB Hits – 18 Ints – 66 Passes Defensed – 7 Forced Fumbles – 9 Fumbles Recovered
Bobby Wagner – 996 Solo Tackles – 1706 total – 89 TFLs – 33 Sacks – 94 QB Hits – 13 Ints – 68 PDs – 6 Forced Fumbles – 10 Fumbles Recovered
Brian Urlacher HOF – 1046 Solo Tackles – 1361 total – 138 TFLs – 41.5 sacks – 63 QB Hits – 22 Ints – 90 PDs – 11 Forced Fumbles – 16 Fumbles Recovered
Lavonte David – 1035 Solo Tackles – 1480 total – 160 TFLs – 33.5 Sacks – 67 QB Hits – 12 Ints – 64 PDs – 28 Forced Fumbles – 18 Fumbles Recovered
March 12th, 2024 at 11:34 pm
We should’ve kept Shaq and Carlton and paid David 13 mil, then found another (much cheaper) QB. 3 for the price of 1. A lot of NFL QBs could get us to a 9-8 record in this dumpster of a division.
BTW, we had a total of 3 wins vs teams with winning records last season and one of them were against the eagles who were on like a 6 game losing streak lol.
We need to hit the lottery in the draft. Especially if Devin leaves.
March 13th, 2024 at 12:00 am
awesome
March 13th, 2024 at 12:02 am
@bigred – what are you babbling about after your 12 natty lights?
LOL. Don’t drink and post. Embarrassing.
March 13th, 2024 at 12:46 am
Yaayyy!!! So glad he’s coming back! Need interior o-lineman, another pass rusher, another corner, and safety. THEN, the Bucs are right up there. Go Bucs!!!
March 13th, 2024 at 12:57 am
Read somewhere today that the reason why the “vertically challenged” Drew Brees succeeded is because the Aint’s got two good guards and center. That’s all we were missing this year on offense!!! We’re very close on offense. On defense we must figure out a way to get pressure on the QB without having to blitz every down. We’re very close you bunch of naysayers, we really are.
March 13th, 2024 at 1:08 am
Iow, you can’t expect your QB to perform so well under so much pressure in his face like Baker did this year. I agree with Evans that Baker is elite, but he can’t be Superman all the time.
March 13th, 2024 at 3:24 am
LB taken care of….we have others also, so no need to draft one
Gotta move up….
Jackson Powers and Cooper Dejean
March 13th, 2024 at 7:13 am
Beeej Says:
“Read at PR Bucs are talking to Whitehead.”
Hope they can make it happen.
March 13th, 2024 at 8:11 am
Jason Licht once again demonstrates why he’s the best GM in the NFL. This is his second best off season and I know some could very easily argue its his best off season.
March 13th, 2024 at 11:48 am
Good deal.
March 13th, 2024 at 12:28 pm
Dear beej,
Semantics
March 13th, 2024 at 3:20 pm
I don’t know. My take is Baker and Evans gave up money so David could get a pay raise. Seems David did not give up much of anything to be on this team. I guess there are designated guys the team can lean on to give a little away (hometown discounts) regardless of tenure. LD is the heart of this team. Just was not expecting such a large pay raise to keep him.
March 13th, 2024 at 11:11 pm
Good sign