Jason Licht; Lavonte David Has Not Told Bucs He Wants To Play
March 18th, 2026
In a sitdown with Joe and a few other reporters at One Buc Palace this afternoon, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht updated the status of free agent Lavonte David.
David has not told the Bucs whether he wants to play in 2026, Licht said, but Licht has been talking personally with David and the Bucs have an “open door” for David to be on the roster. Licht called it “a special case” and Bucs ownership is on board with that approach.
Joe asked Licht if that open door could extend all the way to training camp. Licht said it absolutely could. “The door will be open for Lavonte,” he said.
Asked if Mike Evans’ decision could impact David’s decision, Licht shut that down quickly. “None. Individual decision,” Licht said.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:45 pm
LVD should let them know ASAP so they can make draft plans accordingly.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:50 pm
As Arnold said and now David will say “I’ll Be Back”, with his surgery and eagerness to play, he will be back and better this year. Mark my words!
March 18th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
take your time LVD!!!!
it’ll be smart to see how your knee response from surgery before making a decision…
you gave your all to the BUCS…you dont owe us anything!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 2:53 pm
Maybe rehab is not going to his satisfaction. At his age you have to really want it to be able to reach it.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:53 pm
Maybe LVD should join ME in SanFran? If he does, they both leave with lots of thanks for their play as Bucs. What else can be said?
Well, if you are RodManureMunch, you can thank Baker Mayfield for these defections. Right Manure man? Munch, please go with these guys to San Fran.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:54 pm
If Lavonte decides to play or retire
It shouldn’t affect the Bucs draft plans
They need to draft an ILB in round 1 or 2
March 18th, 2026 at 2:55 pm
Funny also guess he did not want to talk about Evans!. Joe you were right this morning in that the Bucs now have a huge reputation problem with Evans departure and statements. Clearly this last year he was totally frustrated with what appears the whole Organization. Yes the Glazers need to clearly do something in how the players are treated. Both Licht and Bowles also need to step up. In my opinion Licht flunked on Free Agency. Bowles gets one more chance to right 3/28. I don’t see it happening with the now worse tandem starting corners in the league ,no edge rush and 2 LBS needed .The Bucs were just coming out of the woods from being an ill perceived Organization and now Evans has put them back to a sad group. Sorry but it is hard to be a fan and the Organization is not giving us hope!!! Dark days are here Joe dark days. Dark days? Very dramatic. Let’s see if the Bucs can go 2-0 first, as they’ve done each of the past four seasons. –Joe
March 18th, 2026 at 2:55 pm
Munchie is waiting for a more advantageous ambush opportunity!
March 18th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Doo doo or get off the pot
March 18th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
Just hoping that if Lavonte decides to retire, the organization has a spot for him. Invaluable knowledge and leadership that I would not let out the door.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
LVD don’t waste ur time playing for Bowles he is just gonna waste ur time and talent. Take a hint from ME who took a pay cut to leave that should tell u all u need to know.
March 18th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
We don’t draft for 5 weeks so he has time.
We need an ILB in the first 2 rounds either way.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:00 pm
LVD should just become another old mercenary who sits out until week 8 or later and sign with a playoff bound team with ILB injuries.
A below average ILB who can’t play special teams?
What is that worth in the NFL?
March 18th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Though I doubt it, hopefully, this means they have made an offer that makes sense to not overpay. 5mill top of the top. Decide now. You can’t wait until the season starts to give him 9mill.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
Gipper Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
MelJr.,
Good thing you have an advocate in RodManureMunch. Trying to read through your rambling comments is a challenge. Like minds attract. Here is an idea: Try to make a point in less than 60 words and move on.
We all understand that you both hate the QB who has thrown more TD’s in the NFL during his 3 year Bucs career than anyone other than Jared Goff. Pretty sure Goff plays for a better team. Would be happy to have Aiden Hutchinson and Pennei Sewell on the Bucs. Think that would assure a better W-L record.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
That’s fine – take his time, see how he feels as the offseason progresses.
Again, regardless of if David is back or not, the team should act as if he won’t be there, then if he is, and is healthy, it’s a HUGE bonus.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
Munch,
Go help SanFran. LVD last year was as effective as you have been on these pages. At least ME and LVD don’t need a good enema like you do.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
LVD has not said he wants to come back? DUH!!!! Who would want more of 3rd and 28?
March 18th, 2026 at 3:25 pm
If you haven’t decided by now, then he must be eyeing that new set of golf clubs!
March 18th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
I’m thinking Lavonte will bolt or retire. Perhaps he might want to make a statement like Mike did. Here’s hoping.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
Have we told him we don’t want him to?
March 18th, 2026 at 3:48 pm
I’m hoping for LVD to leave and play elsewhere. It would bring endless articles about why he left. It would really bunch up the panties in this joint.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
While I thought LVD had an off year last season at best and Father Time signs are-a-showin’, I agree that he is a “special case”. He also has already chosen to be the next to do it all in a Buc uniform and retire as a Buccaneer (unlike a certain someone choosing not to the same, very probable they don’t see eye to eye on Bucs?). But….
If he chooses to come back through that open door, he better not after the 53 man roster is established and less than a week out from a WEEK 1 division rivalry game vs the Falcons say he’s “physically ready, but honestly, mentally not quite there yet” like he did in an interview last year right before the season was about to kick off.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
This is greT news!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 5:44 pm
Please hang it up Lavonte. You have been Outstanding your entire career..except for last year. That was your warning father time has caught up with you. We need more speed and activity at your position. Its time my man.
March 18th, 2026 at 6:05 pm
if LVD does not return it basically signals a sinking pirate ship – anyone not on a rookie contract that also has any free agent value to another team has left – did you notice that all 4 new FAs on defense are 30 years or older ? if Lavonte hangs it up he recognizes that the Bucs are toast
March 18th, 2026 at 6:10 pm
Still wearing his jersey until he returns
March 18th, 2026 at 6:35 pm
The amount of fans that cant realize the man, our Leader on D all these years in fact, had a hurt knee and get off on attacking him with vile is disgusting. Not to mention we will not in ANY way be better off without him in 2026.
He’ll be back. And it will be a good day in Tampa Bay
March 18th, 2026 at 7:09 pm
What a load of crap. Special case? How much money is the door open for? Hopefully no more than 3,4, millon one year. David wants double that, or he’d would’ve already signed. Retire dude, it’s over.
March 18th, 2026 at 7:22 pm
I’m guessing that maybe licht plans on addressing the ilb position in the draft. Even if David comes back it’s one year, I still say it should be a situational role at best. I know that may be a downgrade for a hof worthy lb but depth is a huge part of Lombardis in my opinion and could be a selling point for Jason. Lavonte being able to play sparingly while mentoring some young lbs would be a win win in my book
March 18th, 2026 at 7:26 pm
His splash plays will be missed if he decides to hang it up. It seemed like he was always getting a pick, fumble or sack while still being a tackling machine.
March 18th, 2026 at 9:17 pm
It was David who singlehandedly defeated the Super Bowl champs with his clutch interception. We need him back if he’s healthy and ready to play.
But, for the 100th time, you still plan as if he won’t be there – you have no choice at his age. Still, if he’s healthy and back and you have depth like he wouldn’t be there, man, what a huge win that would be for the team.
March 18th, 2026 at 9:47 pm
He is pissed.
He wants to come back for 1 more year.
But please draft a MLB in Rounds 2 AND 4.
March 18th, 2026 at 11:56 pm
Reality has sunk in for Lavonte. His team sucks top to bottom. From the owners to the fraud pretending to be GM to the incompetent double coach he retained while firing everyone else, to the QB who gags in crunch time when it matters, to everything about the wretched refuse of a team. Adios.
March 19th, 2026 at 2:55 am
My guess is he’ll probably retire.