Lavonte David Talks Rueben Bain Signing, Contact
May 10th, 2026
Mike Evans may not care about the Bucs drafting Rueben Bain, but Lavonte David sure does.
In fact, David has known Bain for years.
Speaking on The Set With T. Stead podcast, David shared his enthusiasm about the Bucs bagging a fierce edge rusher in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Short arms? Pfffft, David scoffed at that knock on Bain, adding that evaluators were down on his measurables coming out of the University of Nebraska in 2012.
“You can’t measure a guy’s heart.” David said.
As the draft unfolded, David said he was rooting for the Bucs to somehow grab Bain.
“I love it. I love it — A-plus pick,” David said. “As I saw him dropping, bro, I’m like, man, this can’t be happening.”
David thought the Dolphins or Cowboys would take Bain, he said, and after the pick he texted Bucs GM Jason Licht immediately.
“I know Rueben since he was little,” David explained. “When I had my book bag giveaway down here [in Miami], he used to come out and wait in line to get his book bag. But I saw him in high school. Even though he went to my rival high school, I knew he was a great player and you had to root for him because he was so good.”
Bain and David have been in touch. David said Bain was bummed out he missed David in Tampa by one year. But they’ll stay connected, David said.
“I’ll be around to talk to you, and stuff like that. Whatever you need, I got you,” David said he told Bain.
Joe loves the Bain-David connection. Joe also is wondering how long it might take David to decide he wants to play with Bain.
May 10th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
…or coach Bain.
May 10th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
F Mike Evans
May 10th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
Mike Evans is a beast, a living legend
Elijah Roberts played with Miami Columbus High
May 10th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
I was very surprised the Cowboys and Rams passed on him. Their bad! Oh – and the Saints screwed the pooch too!
May 10th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Great story.
I like Miami players. They are super tough.
We need to keep drafting no nonsense players.
Guys who hate losing.
May 10th, 2026 at 5:50 pm
I’d love for David to decide he’s coming back, but by mid-June so he can actually train and get in shape.
If he did that, with the knee surgery, I bet he could be a better player than he was last year.
It honestly sounds like a lot of guys weren’t in it last year, whether age and complacency got them like Lavonte or offensive guys weren’t down about Grizz and all the injuries. Bad vibes everywhere.
Clearly won’t happen but a 4-3 of Diaby, Kancey, Vea, Bain – David Trotter Anzalone would look pretty sweet!
May 10th, 2026 at 6:45 pm
This is quite the gold-standard endorsement for Rueben.
I’m really looking forward to seeing him on the field this year.
As for LaVonte suiting up again, I’d love to see it, but I don’t think it’ll happen.
May 10th, 2026 at 6:46 pm
Id be very happy if LVD unretired.
May 10th, 2026 at 6:51 pm
LVD is retired and should stay that way. Let it Go! As Bob Seger said “Turn the page”.
It is a New Era of hopefully Real DEfensive Football. One that gets off the Field on 3rd down or 4th lol.
May 10th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
F Mike Evans. He forgets he was 5 yds short of 1000 yds and Bowles and the team put the playoffs on the line to get him the record. Then he craps on the whole team. F Evans!
May 10th, 2026 at 8:12 pm
Unretired? Give it a rest y’all. David did his time. Let the man rest.
May 10th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
Fake fans saying F Mike Evans… Go watch soccer. You’re pathetic.
Evans is playing for a different team, of course he’s not going to be excited for player they draft. 😆 ridiculous.
Love that LVD said he will be around when needed and will talk to Bain.
Need to make sure he talks to Trotter.
May 10th, 2026 at 8:57 pm
This just means David will 100% be at camp this year, as a visitor.
May 10th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
David Says:
May 10th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
Fake fans saying F Mike Evans… Go watch soccer. You’re pathetic.
———–
You’re correct, they are fake Bucs fans as they’re Baker Boi(s) who are mad since Evans said he left because he wanted to play with a QB who could win a championship, and clearly Baker isn’t that guy.
I’m totally for Mike doing well, unless of course he’s playing the Bucs or we need the 49ers to lose. If Baker didn’t play so terrible last year and cost the team the playoffs, he’d have been back as he clearly wanted to stay, but didn’t want to waste his final seasons playing with someone the caliber of Baker.
May 10th, 2026 at 9:39 pm
I am ashamed of the “f you, Evans” crowd. When he was not injured he gave his all to the Buccaneers. Just maybe, he saw some loafers and the poison in the locker room. It does not bother me that he wanted another ring.
Go Bucs!!
May 10th, 2026 at 10:03 pm
Rod has it right about Baker. Sorry to agree but it’s real.
May 10th, 2026 at 10:50 pm
Lvd54 needs to stay retired and help on the sidelines. Why would any true fan want a older slower guy playing in place of a better player? We got some legit linebackers. ME13 deserves respect for being a great player here for many years. He now plays for another NFC team so I will not be rooting for him. Lot of hype and bs coming for next couple months. Preseason wont be much of an indicator either. 1st quarter of last preseason game maybe 1st half. GO BUCS
May 10th, 2026 at 11:17 pm
Mike Evans will eventually retire a Buc.
Hall of Fame as a Buc. ROH too.
Shame on any fan that agrees with F Mike Evans.
May 11th, 2026 at 2:48 am
F Mike evans, Walk the plank traitor
May 11th, 2026 at 3:08 am
lots of lunatics on these boards. Too bad because there’s some awesome, highly knowledgeable people too. Mike was great, but he’s gone. Don’t want Lavonte back unless he’s 100% healthy and we have a season ending injury at LB. I don’t think he will be 100% healthy anytime soon.
May 11th, 2026 at 5:13 am
LVD has had his time. Would love for him to be in camp coaching Bain, Trotter, Scott. Be That Man for the new guys.
May 11th, 2026 at 6:58 am
Mike Evans needs to be given respect, he was our greatest offensive weapon. I say F—k everyone that is saying F Evans. I will be rooting for him to succeed unless he is playing the Bucs.
May 11th, 2026 at 7:05 am
I love Mike Evans, but he could’ve shown more class on his exit.
May 11th, 2026 at 8:41 am
If lvd returned, he’d be the best inside lb on the team. But how long would he hold up?
Nice to hear from him and welcome it
May 11th, 2026 at 8:59 am
Just because Evans said he was happy to be playing with a QB who can win a SB, doesn’t mean he’s dissing Baker or thinks Purdy is better than Baker, etc.
Evans didn’t opt to go to KC, Buffalo, Philly, etc so by people’s “read between the lines” mentality, does that mean Evans thinks Mahomes, Allen, Hurts, etc can’t win a SB also?
He’s singing the praises of his new team and teammates. Nothing new and nothing to see here. When he retires, he’ll sign a one-day contract and retire a Buc. Bet on it.
May 11th, 2026 at 9:34 am
Bowles will have to be long gone before Mike signs anything else with the Bucs.
May 11th, 2026 at 10:53 am
With Warren Sapp getting in trouble with the police lately and acting pretty weird, it’s good that LVD is showing up as another role model for Rueben. Go Bucs!
May 11th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
Capt Kidd Says:
May 10th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
F Mike Evans. He forgets he was 5 yds short of 1000 yds and Bowles and the team put the playoffs on the line to get him the record. Then he craps on the whole team. F Evans! Evans stayed last year to win a SB Instead of helping the defense with a first round defensive pick we take Egbuka. If I was Mike I would be a lil angry about that.
May 11th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
I thought this was a piece about Bain and David. Why is everyone posting about Evans?
May 11th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Bosch Says:
I thought this was a piece about Bain and David. Why is everyone posting about Evans?
============================================
I believe Stpetematt got it right when he said:
“Lots of lunatics on these boards.”
😉
May 11th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Haha, if the Bucs season is looking like it’s truly headed somewhere in the playoffs, I could maybe see LVD coming out of retirement for a post season push.
Highly unlikely, but not impossible.