A Reduced Role For Lavonte David?
February 2nd, 2026
Joe remains flabbergasted that big-mouth Cam Jordan, the slimy Saints legendary edge rusher, found 10 1/2 sacks and 15 tackles for loss this season at 36 years old.
The Saints also had their iconic middle linebacker, Demario Davis, record his career high in combined tackles, 143, in his 14th season at 36 years old. Davis is a full year older than Lavonte David!
What are they adding to their gumbo?
Both Jordan and Davis are expected to play next season, though they are pending free agents.
Joe brings this up because Saints general manager and salary cap bungler Mickey Loomis hopped on SiriusXM NFL Radio last week to talk all things Saints. (Man, they sure do love their rookie quarterback, Tyler Shough.)
Anyway, Loomis talked about how Jordan has thrived in a reduced role. Over the past two seasons, Jordan has stayed healthy but has played 30 to 40 percent less snaps than he did earlier in his career. Davis still maintains a full workload.
This got Joe thinking about Lavonte David, who is pondering retirement. And a lot of Bucs would applaud that move after David had a shaky season on the field. The Bucs, David said, already have welcomed him back if he wants to play.
Joe has heard some Bucs fans say it would be insulting and almost inappropriate to ask David to play fewer snaps. The Joe typing here thinks that’s ridiculous. Why couldn’t David have limited playing time if he’s willing to go there?
The Bucs should be looking for two linebackers in free agency next month. That’s just smart. David isn’t what he used to be and SirVocea Dennis was a problem, and there are no guarantees in the draft.
But Joe has an open mind regarding David. If David and the Bucs think he still has something to offer, then Joe something sensible could be worked out.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:14 am
LB Coach
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:20 am
Donât sign anywhere else and wait until November to see if the Bucs might need you for the rest of the season
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:24 am
That was another load of crap we heard all last season. We heard it all during the offseason too. How great he would be if he was healthy. Dennis would be another savior. Just like Kancey. Both need to go down the road.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:27 am
Cam Jordan was on âWake Up Barstoolâ for frigginâ 25-minutes+ on Friday, to end the show. Horrible. If LVD wants to âplayâ next season, then it better be for the league MINIMUM. Otherwise, you offer him an assistant coaching job. I think he should go the Pete Rose route, and be a âPlayer/Coach.â Again, at the league MINIMUM.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:34 am
LVD is not coaching material.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:35 am
Can Jordan was effective last year at his age because of reduced snaps. If we reduced Davidâs snaps, Iâm sure he would be just as effective.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:41 am
Fewer snaps for Lavonte David? Right idea; wrong coach.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:47 am
It’s the result of a team having a competent DC that can adjust his scheme to put his players in positions to make plays. Not happening here in Tampa unfortunately until todd is finally shown the door.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:55 am
He was really banged up this year again. Probably will be next year too. But yeah, you could absolutely rotate him with a young guy next year and the team would benefit from it and the young kid can learn from David guiding them through the grind.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:57 am
“What are they adding to their gumbo?” It’s a spice called No-Bowles.
“Man, they sure do love their rookie quarterback, Tyler Shough” As they should. After all, he was able to defeat the vaunted Bowles defense on the road in monsoon conditions.
“David isnât what he used to be and SirVocea Dennis was a problem” Bringing either of them back is a huge mistake but would go right in line with the plan to run it back in 2026 after going 8-9 and no playoffs in 2025.
Jason Brown on the Coach JB podcast said it best this morning.
“I was shocked Bowles wasn’t fired this year and should have been fired after 2024” – Coach JB
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:00 am
Of course reduced snaps are in order for LVD and there is nothing to be ashamed of with that…..if it keeps him fresher and more effective then do it.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:02 am
They drained nearly a half GALLON of fluid out of his knee over the course of the season. That said, maybe it could be avoided having him on the field on obvious passing downs
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:04 am
They should reduce his salary before they reduce his snaps
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:04 am
Gipper Says:
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:04 am
Munch,
Wherever Jamel Dean ends up. Go with him. He is a horrible corner in a horrible team pass defense. Figures you woud be enamored with him.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:08 am
Fewer as in none. Time to move on. You either get better, or worse. David is getting worse, and so will the Bucs if they bring him back in any capacity. He’s going to want 8 to 10 million to play. Pass.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:09 am
Geez guys, it’s 2026. Bowles is staying. It’s settled. The “get rid of Bowles” crowd is now sounding like a broken record. Get over it. You’ll have plenty of time to vent your frustration at the end of this new year sould things go off the rails again. But, can we please now just focus on the future?
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:10 am
Does anyone remember Derrick Brooks last season?
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:12 am
PSL Bob Says:
“Youâll have plenty of time to vent your frustration at the end of this new year should things go off the rails again.”
False! You and the rest of the Pom Pom waivers will shout down anyone offering a different opinion than your own regarding Bowles.
We are is a loop of failure. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:17 am
Limited role? UMM no. We can’t have any weakness on or defense. What happens in that limited role that cost us a game because he couldn’t cover his guy? No weakness. Fill the holes with very capable players. Do whatever it takes to have a top 10 pass defense.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:34 am
Fough Shough
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:41 am
PSL – Sadly, the future includes Bowel which means a bottom third defense for 2026. Getting rid of Bowels is our only hope. There is no point in demanding fans not to plead for his departure as it is the only path to turning things around.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:44 am
Washed up has been talent resulted in a sorry Defense last year ! Bowles defense has been atrocious since he was gifted the HC position ! Please stop it guys about his SB defense because he worked under BA ! Fire Todd Bowles !! The sooner the better !!
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:01 pm
Bucnbeers,
“We canât have any weakness on or defense”… the biggest weakness is the DC. Not really concerned who they put on the field at this point, the result is going to be the same.
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:07 pm
@ Buccaneer Bonzai Says: âLVD is not coaching material.â
No, probably not. But, he could play the âplayer/coachâ role as a mentor to the younger players. Weâll surely have a few. And, Iâm much more interested in that being a way t pay him the veteran minimum, then throw him a little âcoachingâ bonus, as to not affect the cap.
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Yes LVD is not the elite player that he once was. But I am shocked by the amount of people on here that portray his as washed up. I watched every snap he played this year and got to watch a ton of other teams play. If you donât think LVD is still one of the top 1/3 of his position, I donât know how much football you actually watch.
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:09 pm
There are not 15 inside linebackers in the NFL that are better than LVD.
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:12 pm
@ Gipper Says:
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:04 am
Munch,
âWherever Jamel Dean ends up. Go with him. He is a horrible corner in a horrible team pass defense. Figures you woud be enamored with him.â
Hell, I donât believe heâs even commented at all, in maybe over a WEEK. Shew⌠WOW. Heâs really got ya tore up there! Heâs living rent free in YOUR head. Youâre seeing GHOSTS now!!!! LoL