Chatter Emerges Of A Lavonte David Return
March 25th, 2026
Joe is only sharing this because it comes from a credible source and the Bucs have a distinct pattern of engaging in this kind of activity.
So Lavonte David retired yesterday. His legendary 14-year career ended with an emotional news conference and many of his friends and family alongside him at One Buc Palace.
Hours later, a friend of Todd Bowles and a student of the NFL, ex-Bucs scout and former Jets linebackers coach and personnel chief Pat Kirwan, said on his SiriusXM NFL Radio show that he wouldn’t be surprised if David returns to play next season because he’s been so productive for so long, including last year.
No, Kirwan wasn’t high or unaware David retired.
In fact, Kirwan’s comments came after him lauding David’s underappreciated career and stats.
“Of course he could still play,” Kirwan said. “There are going to be things that are going to get tougher to do, like getting out on the slot. Now, if you’re always going to check zone, [David] could probably still do it. But if you ever wanted him to play man, that’s where things get a little rough in Year 15 of your football career. … Something tells me, Nov. 1st and the [Bucs] are out of linebackers, they call the old man, he shows up.”
Keep in mind Bowles is a regular in-season guest on Kirwan’s show.
Six weeks ago, David said, “I got a lot of football left in me,” and yesterday David did not say his body was done, only that he no longer had motivation to play.
What if that changes?
Joe considers David retired, but David is still human and in love with the game of football. In desperation moves in each of the past two seasons, the Bucs signed Shaq Barrett (2024) and Jason Pierre-Paul (2025). So please don’t tell Joe that David finding his way back onto the 2026 roster is ridiculous.
Heck, the Bucs brought back Tom Brady after he retired and did his best to break his Bucs contract so he could play for the Dolphins.
March 25th, 2026 at 9:04 am
Come on. That’s ridiculous. Nothing about this man suggests he is indecisive.
Just like Evans, he’s gone and as Hall and Oates said, you better learn how to face it.
March 25th, 2026 at 9:05 am
While we are at it, let’s bring back Dungy on defense and co-Arians and Gruden as OCs. I’d love to see that crazy show. Couldn’t be worse.
March 25th, 2026 at 9:06 am
This is like that scene in “The Office” when Toby returns…
Oh, God please NO!!!
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 25th, 2026 at 9:21 am
If the bucs are calling a 36 year old linebacker in November they are done there will be no point.
March 25th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Sigh…oh brother. Make it stop
March 25th, 2026 at 9:31 am
Doubtful – he wants to spend time with his daughter.
Someone would have to explain to Joe why a man can’t play football for three months (re: the example in this post) and not spend time with a child. –Joe
March 25th, 2026 at 9:31 am
Soooo according to Kirwan David will unretire because he was a great football player does that sound about right?👍🏼
March 25th, 2026 at 9:35 am
Yeah he is returning to play but with the 49rs. He needs more HARDWARE!!!!
March 25th, 2026 at 9:42 am
He probably painted himself in a corner by supporting Toilet Bowls and lost his motivation because of the putrid defense. I said it yesterday, he may come back next year. Whether we move on from him is another story, but this year he was injured. Lavonte isn’t just going to fall off like he did last year because of age. Plus, with a better defensive coordinator, I can see him still being productive next year. Lavonte is a Buc for life.
March 25th, 2026 at 9:44 am
He needs just one more tackle to hold the all time Bucs tackle leader position. Right?
He’ll return.
March 25th, 2026 at 9:49 am
Bring him back as a coach !!!!
March 25th, 2026 at 10:01 am
@Bucman
That’s what I said. Put him on the coaching staff or in the front office. WE GOT KJ BRITT COMING BACK! ALL GOOD.
March 25th, 2026 at 10:05 am
lmao we’re less than 24 hours since his official retirement and we’re already talking about him coming back?
March 25th, 2026 at 10:21 am
Kirwan joins Bill Polian as Grumpy Old Men of NFL yesteryear. I’d be against it. When does this ever lead to anything more than embarrassment and/or a soft tissue injury? Licht does lather on the Desperation ™️ cologne at times, however…so I suppose you can’t rule it out completely.
March 25th, 2026 at 10:56 am
I think that is the second half of the season comes around and the Bucs need help, he’ll plug and play.
March 25th, 2026 at 10:56 am
That didn’t take long. He is retired let the man enjoy his life.
March 25th, 2026 at 11:02 am
Evans is gone….LVD is gone…..can we please move on?
March 25th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Move on for god’s sake. Slim pickings for news I guess
March 25th, 2026 at 11:48 am
Would love to have him back on the sidelines as a defensive coach.
March 25th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Yes, the Bucs have a habit of not filling positions of need during the offseason, having it show on the field, and making desperate in-season moves as band aids that rarely work.
March 25th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
If David is healthy and wants to play, of course you want a HOF’er back if he wants to be back.
March 25th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
If he comes back it will be with a contender.
March 25th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
He is doing the Brady, hope it doesn’t cost him a divorce. It’s a Bucs life.
March 25th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
He said in his retirement speech he would consider coaching, I would love to see him on the sidelines! maybe when bowels gets canned mid season he can be the interim head coach? or maybe he takes the year off and joins the new coaching staff? with his love for the game, intensity and knowledge I bet he could run circles around bowels as a DC!
March 25th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Stay retired, Lavonte. We love you, but it’s time for you and us to move on.
March 25th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
He hasn’t even been retired for 24 hours and we’re already talking about a return, Jesus Christ. And while I love lavonte – he is a buc icon, but I wanna cool it with the whole locker room presence & leadership thing. That is so overrated. Howd that leadership thing work during the teams complete collapse last yr with Evans and lavonte in the locker room? Fart. We need to move on
March 25th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Some people love retirement. Others get really bored, quickly.
March 25th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
Coach LVD – that’ll work for me!!!
March 25th, 2026 at 1:50 pm
I’ll explain it to you Joe. Football is more than 3 months. You have to commit your mind, and body year round. David had to have surgery and rehab after the season, that takes time. At 36 you just can’t show up for 3 months and play.
March 25th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
Whether or not you like either, neither, or both of them, you can’t claim similar personalities for Tom Brady and Davonte David. I’m not arguing good or bad, I’m just saying their choices, lifestyles, and temperaments are very different.
March 25th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
I like bringing him back as a coach, or consultant. To me he is a legend, and gave unselfishly to the Buccaneers franchise.
March 25th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
This is just a silly article after his emotional retirement yesterday. Slow news day, Joe?
March 25th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Lavonte, you’ve been great and I wish you all the best brother. If it’s time it’s time, don’t mess with family. Thank You for everything especially the second championship!!! We love you.
March 25th, 2026 at 7:31 pm
I don’t see it. The negatives outweigh the positives for both 54 and the team.
March 25th, 2026 at 9:13 pm
SVD, LVD, SVD, LVD? All you haters, I’m looking at you Marine Buc, don’t tell me you wouldn’t rather see LVD coming off the bench over SVD.
I see Joe’s vision. The late retirement declaration and JL’s insistence that door is always open for David, kinda hints that him retiring could be how he is saving face for not getting his asking price. Now he can ride in on his white horse (if needed) after the season starts with a huge pay cut. He is that man🙃
March 25th, 2026 at 9:37 pm
SVD will start next year they paid the new guy backup money meaning was not in high demand
March 26th, 2026 at 10:12 am
I had mentioned in a prior post that he will want to come back mid season. Its not easy to do nothing after so much time spent playing