Lavonte David Discusses 2024 Return And 2025 Status
May 7th, 2024
What does the future hold?
When Bucs linebacking icon Lavonte David signed a contract this spring to push his NFL career to a 13th season, Joe sort of felt 2024 would be his final year.
After all, how many 35-year-old linebackers are there in the NFL? David turned 34 in January.
Last week appearing in studio on the “Rich Eisen Show,” Eisen asked David how many more years he plans to play. David said he wasn’t sure. He didn’t rule out playing next year. But he also didn’t rule out retirement.
“I will take it year to year, man,” David said. “I didn’t know I would re-signing back this year.
“After the divisional round game, there was a clip out there that caught me talking to [Lions backup quarterback] Teddy Bridgewater, one of my good friends, he went to the same high school as me. I was telling him, ‘Man, I’m really going to take some time to really think about what I want to do and see where my body is at and where my mentals [are] at and then go from there.'”
David seemed to hint that if this were the Lost Decade where the Bucs were the filled bedpan of the NFC, and David had just finished his 12th season, he may have thrown in the towel by now.
Winning has kept David young.
“It took a while [after the season],” David said of making his decision to return. “I think I will go with that same approach after this season.
“I’m having fun. I’m having fun. I’m winning. Going from eight years of losing to now winning [five] years in a row, it’s kind of good.”
David admitted that he began last year, and wants to continue this year, making an effort to build as many relationships as he can within the NFL community, specifically the Bucs locker room. He said he doesn’t know if this will be his last season so he wants to build those relationships while he still has a chance.
May 7th, 2024 at 5:14 am
Hoping LD54 is able to stay healthy and productive all season.
A 2nd Super Bowl would surely enhance that HOF resume…..
May 7th, 2024 at 5:51 am
Gholston & David makes me tear up
Everything good professionals, gd men👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
May 7th, 2024 at 5:55 am
Simply one the best LB’s to ever play the game. He has a rare combination of talent and instincts unmatched by any other LB the Bucs have drafted. during his career. Cool and calm, that’s the ticket. Too bad Kwan and Devin didn’t pick up on this.
May 7th, 2024 at 6:32 am
LD rules!!
May 7th, 2024 at 8:07 am
Go Bucs
May 7th, 2024 at 8:32 am
Does anyone know who was sitting to the left of LVD on the Tom Brady Roast? Was that Lenny?
May 7th, 2024 at 8:39 am
If LVD has similar production this season, he’s probably fringe HOF. If he does it 2x (next season), he’s a lock. I’m really hoping for the later.
May 7th, 2024 at 9:03 am
His advanced numbers suggest he’s a Hall of Famer. Just compare him to Luke Kuechly, who the selectors seem in the tank for, it’s not comparable.
May 7th, 2024 at 9:53 am
BobbyuBucsFan, it was Perriman next to LVD at the Brady roast
May 7th, 2024 at 9:56 am
To Lavonte’s right? Perriman was on the corner of he dais. Got a lot of screentime in the background.
May 7th, 2024 at 10:07 am
From what I could tell it was Perriman, LVD, Donovan Smith, and Jensen. Was kind of surprised they did not get mentioned in some way or another since there.
May 7th, 2024 at 10:17 am
Perriman!?! How the heck did he get invited. I mean go Knights (UCF) and all but how did Godwin or Evans not go. I never thought Brady liked Evans to begin with.
May 7th, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Yup it was Perrinan, David, Smith and Jensen.
I’m sure Evans and Godwin were invited too and just chose not to go, though maybe not…
May 7th, 2024 at 5:35 pm
Hes playing for HOF at this point IMP
May 7th, 2024 at 11:21 pm
It has truly been an honor to watch LVD’s whole career unfold as a Buccaneer. 🫡 very grateful he is still a Buc and pray he retires one