Lavonte David: “I Still Got A Lot Of Football Left In Me”
February 14th, 2026
Will Lavonte David play a 15th season for the Buccaneers?
He addressed that this week.
“I feel good. You know, I’m healthy. I’m happy,” David told the Caps Off podcast, recorded after the Super Bowl. “I’m undecided [on retiring]. I’m genuinely undecided, like I don’t know. I don’t know. I still got a lot of football left in me. I know that for sure. I still love the game. I know that for sure. The other side is I want to spend more time with my daughter. She’s in school, so [I’ve been] taking her to school and it’s a good feeling.”
Joe has watched all the David interviews since the Bucs were eliminated from the NFC South race. This week, David sounded a lot more interested in playing than he did in past weeks.
A month off tends to refresh a 36-year-old linebacker.
Yes, the Bucs are holding a roster spot for David and have welcomed him back, so he told FanDuel TV. David is a pending free agent and the free agency dinner bell rings Monday, March 9, though David can be re-signed at any time.
February 14th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Watching him play this past season it’s clear the Bucs can, and should, get an upgrade to LVD. Keeping him around for sentimental reasons is a waste of a roster spot and will do nothing but hold this team back from reaching its potential.
February 14th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
David would be a lot quicker if they didn’t have to drain a half gallon of fluid from his knee. If he still has that injury, he should retire. If he doesn’t and he’s 100%, I could see him in a part time role to judge how well he is actually doing before putting him out there…regardless, we need to draft some linebackers, but could pick one slightly later to develop with speed and coverage ability if David can still play.
February 14th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Let’s be real – if that’s possible on this site…
LVD was one of the worst graded starting ILBs last season.
If he wants to play as a “rotational/back-up” ILB for the league minimum plus a few incentives I am OK with that.
But if our “ring of honor” GM pays him another $10M for 2026 – he should be fired…
Stop steeling money from the Glazer dorks!!!!
February 14th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
FLBoyinDallas … Long-term I definitely agree with you, but for 2026 … given all of our other problems … it might behoove us to keep LVD on the roster as a part-time ILB. Bucs NEED 2-3 new ILBs going with the standard 4 ILBs in that position group (assuming we keep SVD). I’d love to see us get TWO high-quality starters, with SVD & a 4th ILB as potential fill-ins.
That 4th ILB could be LVD, or we could use him as a 5th (and go with 25 defenders). If we used LVD situationally (blitzes, etc) to keep him ‘fresh’, that could easily be worth a handful of millions.
February 14th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
One more rodeo!
February 14th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
They better find some linebackers who can cover. David was tied for last in QB rating @ 132. I’m pretty sure QB rating only goes up to 140. Actually all of our linebackers rated out lowest in the league.
February 14th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
I’m hoping he retires, but they know they can’t kick him to he curb. Mebbe they swap him for an extra safety on 3rd down.
February 14th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
spot duty at best. Out LBs last season were atrocious.
February 14th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
Even Derrick Brooks slowed down at the end of his career and he was a game changing playmaker, not just a tackler. I agree with Marine – low cost with some bonuses, fine – but LVD is not a starting ILB on a great defense anymore. The goal should be great not serviceable.
February 14th, 2026 at 1:19 pm
Yes it was hard to watch Derrick Brooks his last year. One of the all time greats, but played a year or two too many.
February 14th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
New rodeo same clowns. 2026 in a nutshell.
Bowles is a guru on failing upwards.
Ruin a season after the bye at 6-2 is impossible? Bowles said hold my beer.
No reason to change a thing. Just like the LB crew.
Bring back Dennis and LVD. I’m sure it will all work out.
Queue the P.T. Barnum circus music.
February 14th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
Half a Lavonte David is better than a lot of other guys.
February 14th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
If the Bucs have a roster spot waiting for him, they aren’t serious about getting better. David dictating what the Bucs will do at ILB is like letting the inmates run the Asylum. Take the money David would want, add to it, and get an upgrade. David should be done in Tampa.
February 14th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
The Bucs are the ONLY team in the NFL that loves to hold on to old players
And if they’re not old, they’re young and worthless, underperforming
The ‘Over The Hill Gang”
February 14th, 2026 at 1:41 pm
Defense Rules Says:
“FLBoyinDallas … Long-term I definitely agree with you, but for 2026 … given all of our other problems … it might behoove us to keep LVD on the roster as a part-time ILB.”
This.
I don’t know about him being 4th LB though. He might not come back for that. But you can start him and spell him a lot for this year.
We should add at least two LBs this year. Having him work with them for their first year could be valuable.
Or…hire him as an assistant.
February 14th, 2026 at 1:43 pm
He was playing injured last year too.
February 14th, 2026 at 1:47 pm
You don’t let the player decide when it’s time to go
If you’re not satisfied with his level of play
You move on from him, replace him someone better
February 14th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
Maury said Issa Liie 😂😂😂 you DONE LAvonte
February 14th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
I think he got divorced from his baby momma too
February 14th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Too many holes not to want David back as a 3rd or 4th option off the bench. If the money ask is reasonable it’s a no brainer imo.
February 14th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
It was time to move on last year. 100% time to retire now.
Elite athletes have a hard time letting go.
Hopefully the Bucs operate like LVD is not playing next year. If he wants to come back as a mentor and be a rotational playe, fine. But please dont consider him a starter and ignore the glaring need for 2 new ILBers.
Please dont let Bowles tell JL his ILbers are deep and no need to upgrade.
February 14th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
Want to see a contrast that will shock you? Go watch any game of the 2002 season. It’s a thrill and a treat to watch Monte’s defense.
Watching the 2025 Bucs play defense is like using the YouTube amazing slowdowner set to 50%. It’s a good thing Bowles coaches up his players to know all of the 7.6 different assignments they might have on any given play call.
TwoTodd Super Bowles.
February 14th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Been outside on the business end of my trusty chainsaw for a couple of days. Blood is flowing real good. Especially to my brain. Many of the posters here could use a dose of that. Modern day football ( maybe football since the beginning of football) is about making plays. Lavonte is about as good as that as any. He’s past his prime but he would sure help in breaking in our 3 or 4 new linebackers. Keep Lavonte one more year and draft Jacob Rodriguez. And a bunch of DLinemen. Lavonte has earned the right to go out with a better team and a better defense than the 2025 team turned out to be.
February 14th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
Even a declining LVD is still the best LB on this team, sign him!
February 14th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Let’s all be honest here…LVD is not the player he was & will never be that guy again…At 36, it’s well past time that he retire or the Bucs move on. It’s a results driven business, it’s not personal.
In 2025, LVD & Dennis formed one of the worst starting ILB tandems in the league…Both grading out in the bottom 25% of the leagues ILB’s.
If the organization wants to bring LVD back…It should 100% be in a BU role & for Vet league minimum money. ($1.3M)
For LVD’s 2025 salary of $9M – the 2026 Bucs could afford HUGE upgrades to the ILB room.
UFA ILB to consider:
Micah McFadden (26) – NYG UFA would be a very solid lower cost bounce back candidate coming of a Lisfranc injury suffered in the 2025 season opener.
Leo Chenal (25) – KC UFA has the physical size/high level athleticism to succeed in Bowles system – good read-react trigger & graded out very well in both runs support & coverage metrics.
Nakobe Dean (25) – PHI UFA would be a very good blitzing ILB that fits Bowles system. (Though limited in coverage skills)
Quay Walker (25) – GB UFA has the all the athletic tools that fits Bowles expectation of a ILB – Racks up a ton of tackles – but is about as inconsistent in coverage as Dennis is . (That’s a big negative hit & has to be determining factor in price tag of FA contract)
Germaine Pratt (31) – IND UFA is still highly productive & has not yet reached the age-performance cliff that LVD hit at age 35 last season
February 14th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
We need to either draft his replacement or acquire one via free agency, but keep LVD for another season as a player/coach.
SVD needs to be used in a way that better utilizes his strength and minimizes his weaknesses!
And Bowles needs to tweak his scheme, making adjustments for the personnel he’s got.
If he upgrades the defense so they’re average, and the offense plays like they’re capable of, putting up 30 points per game, they’ll be ok and back in the playoffs.
February 14th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
No you don’t!
February 14th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
Nobody had hofer the day he was drafted
Its super bowl or out. See what tge draft andcfa brings, if were close, give it another try.
If we try more reddicks and other reaches its time to go
February 14th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
The 3rd, or 4th LB has to play special teams, and is always fighting to keep his roster spot. David either comes back as a starter, or retires.
February 14th, 2026 at 3:42 pm
LVD has been my favorite Buc for the last 14 years. But it’s time to hang ‘em up. Bring him back as a linebackers coach, something. He’s just not ‘the guy’ any more. Hasn’t been in a while and better if he helps from the sidelines.
February 14th, 2026 at 3:54 pm
I know he has lost a few steps but for continuity purposes we should probably bring him back. Money needs to be right and we need to bring in another FA who is a quality starter along with a rookie in the top three rounds.
Now if there is any way they can bring in Devin Lloyd then I am ready to move on.
February 14th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
Hodad, 100% on point…I do not think LVD wants to go out playing primarily ST in his pre-retirement tour season.
I also do not see him wanting to join the coaching ranks immediately, not if he wants to spend more time with his family…It’s a major time sacrifice he is well aware of at this juncture of his career.
If he has saved/invested well over the last 14yrs, he should already be set for life after football with generational wealth to secure his families future.
I would recommend that he hang’em up & live the good life on the beach – travel the world – do some bucket list stuff – while his knees still allow him to enjoy it.
February 14th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
He earned the rite to go out when he wants too, one of the greatest Buccaneers of all time. I hope nothing but the best for him and his family. Thanks sir, whatever you decide fan from buc nation will support you. Stay blessed.
February 14th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
Oh no lol this season is going to be another disaster on defense. No Lavonte you don’t have a lot of football left in you. You’re not an edge rusher, you have to cover the middle of the field
February 14th, 2026 at 4:57 pm
Alex Anzalone, Lions’ LB, is a FA.
Sheldon Rankins, Texans’ DL is a FA.
Are the Bucs going to get serious this off season?
February 14th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
Millions and Millions of wasted money. Send him to the Bus Station out of town.
February 14th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
No bro, you don’t. Hella career, no need to embarrass yourself.
February 14th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
Lavonte, your daughter is going to grow up so fast. Don’t miss any of it. Youve won a championship and you’re going to the HoF. You don’t need football anymore.