Lavonte David Says He Wasn’t Mentally “All There” In 2025
February 2nd, 2026
Interesting revelation yesterday by legendary Bucs linebacker Lavonte David, who just finished his 14th season in a Tampa Bay uniform.
David sat down for the Why Is Draymond Green Talking About Football? podcast and referenced how injuries stunted his game last season — and it was more than just physical issues.
“Dealing with certain injuries, you know, being physically unable to do certain things that I like to do, having an injury that you never really dealt with your whole career, it can with you mentally,” David said. “So I kind of wasn’t all there, like trusting my ability and stuff like that when I’m on the field.
“So just dealing with those type of things, but it’s no excuse. Like I said, man, when I’m out there, I want to give my best. And before I make a decision on whether I do want to play again, I’m definitely going to re-evaluate everything, my mental aspects, my physical aspects.
“When I’m out there on the field, man, I don’t want to play no steps slow; I still want to look like the Lavonte David who [the Bucs] drafted in 2012.”
Joe wonders if this whole scenario means David is leaning toward a 15th season in Tampa if he feels he’s able to manage injuries better — mentally and physically — and/or rehabilitate whatever new injury ailed him in 2025.
David went on to emphasize many players retire because they stop loving the game but he loves it as much or more than ever. David even noted how much fun he has in practice with the current roster.
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February 2nd, 2026 at 12:28 pm
He’s definitely coming back he hasn’t stopped doing interviews
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Get him out!
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Alot of players stay in the game too long because of that love too. David didn’t seem like the only player whose mentality was on a beach somewhere instead of football but bucs are gonna run that back again. What could go wrong?
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:48 pm
I keep saying it. These guys talk too much. I like how Mike Evans just keeps quiet and makes plays on the field. The way the season ended I want to see these guys doing drills and watching film, not talking in interviews.
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Oh my god, make it stop. It is time for some new blood, a new identity. It is past time. If I could draft FIVE Sonny Styles I would. Time for new energy, new young energy, bigger strong faster. The team needs a facelift, I am so tired of this fanbase hanging on for dear life with their guys. And just because Demario Davis is still highly effective doesn’t mean Lavonte is. This is what made Belichek great – he knew when to tell players to take a hike
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Maybe he was just bored like McCollum?
February 2nd, 2026 at 1:00 pm
I think he would like to leave on better terms but I think next year he realizes his body can’t do it anymore. If we draft his replacement, one more year as a mentor is probably best for everyone but expectations need to be dialed down. David can be serviceable but we can’t compare him to the younger version of himself….that’s a bit unfair.
February 2nd, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Dude, its time to retire. You’re just going through the motions at this point.
February 2nd, 2026 at 1:14 pm
As much as I as I love LVD, this is what’s wrong with this team’s front office. It shouldn’t be up to the player whether they want to come back and half-azz it for another year while being paid 8 figures.
The GM and coach should be dictating who comes and who goes based on skill and merit. This whole “open door” “you’ll always have a roster spot and guaranteed paycheck with us” approach is not working.
But hey, I guess as long as practice is fun, that’s what really matters.
February 2nd, 2026 at 1:17 pm
“When I’m out there on the field, man, I don’t want to play no steps slow”
How did this guy graduate with a degree from Nebraska?
February 2nd, 2026 at 1:24 pm
Bring him back! Less snaps = better production
February 2nd, 2026 at 1:32 pm
He’s half the player Brooks was and he needs to retire. This defense needs a lot of new young players. Don’t know why he’s yapping so much after such horrible season(s) for the defense.
February 2nd, 2026 at 1:47 pm
we know what LVD can do when fully healthy so LVD gets a pass since he was injured….
same “injury” excuse has been used for baker…
LVD and Baker were both injured and it effected their play…
get healthy fellas
GO BUCS!!!!
February 2nd, 2026 at 1:55 pm
At some point, we have to move to the next generation. It’s life.
February 2nd, 2026 at 2:07 pm
Player-coach(?)
February 2nd, 2026 at 2:32 pm
There’s a way him coming back all works out.
He’s healthy, helps develop our new stud lb’s we drafted, and plays in spot roles, one last year.
Run it back LVD! 😁
February 2nd, 2026 at 2:39 pm
Bowles is done! The fact that they want Lavonte back in his 15th season and even he admits there were things he couldn’t do reinforces the idea that Bowles had no idea why his defense sucks. Bucs got killed over the middle and Licht is worried about nostalgia instead of how to win. It was completely Bruce Arians idea to move on from Geraldine and bring Suh in here which is why he’s still a consultant
February 2nd, 2026 at 2:42 pm
YAWN…
Please retire.
Stop stealing money from the Glazer dorks.
$11M for one of the worst rated ILBs in the NFL…
Stop it. Enough already.
February 2nd, 2026 at 2:53 pm
So let me get this straight….
LVD loves and respects Todd Bowles SO MUCH that he mentally checked out this past season
Gimme a laf’n break
What a loser
February 2nd, 2026 at 2:54 pm
His play spoke for itself
Nuff said
February 2nd, 2026 at 2:55 pm
He wasn’t the only one
February 2nd, 2026 at 2:57 pm
THINK ABOUT A HOF JOURNEY …
First – You love the game and you dream of the NFL.
Then – You want to get drafted and make a team.
Then – You want to get through contract 1 to contract 2.
Then – You save your money for the long haul.
Then – You play to make your mark.
Then – There is nothing to play for but your love of the game.
You’re that kid again. How do you walk away when it’s all for the love of the game?
February 2nd, 2026 at 2:58 pm
If he and the team feel he can go then sign him. We need to make sure we bring in another two ILB with at least one being a guy who can be a legit starter next season.
February 2nd, 2026 at 3:19 pm
The guy is done both physically and mentally. He was getting beat bad last season, both injury and age have taken its toll. Problem is that there is nobody to replace him. SVD is a backup at the very best. There are so many other holes on defense it’s almost like he will have to be resigned so the other positions can be addressed. The Bucs need some top ranked rushers and just drafting one and making him an instant starter is not going to work out the first year. Jason needs to go after some premier free agents.
February 2nd, 2026 at 3:22 pm
I am definitely sitting out 2026. Just observing the mess and will enjoy the clown show.
February 2nd, 2026 at 3:27 pm
He lost my respect when he said he wasn’t playing if Bowles ain’t here
February 2nd, 2026 at 3:29 pm
David has earned the right to go out on his own terms.Having said that he should be reduced to a part time player. Limit his snaps. Not sure why the “get off my lawn “ crowd would be opposed to this.
February 2nd, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Didn’t he mentor Devin white, kj Britt and Dennis that partime mentoring meme is just a pipe dream.
February 2nd, 2026 at 4:02 pm
If the decision is up to David whether he returns, or not, it just shows what a joke the Bucs are. Licht should’ve made it clear to him by now we have to upgrade at ILB.
February 2nd, 2026 at 4:03 pm
If there really was an injury he could try it, but evidence seems to be pointing to him slowing down quite a bit. Love LVD, but a younger fast player could help the team more at this point unless he’s had injuries most of the past couple seasons. That being said, depth is important so if he’s willing to be a backup, that would be great.
February 2nd, 2026 at 4:42 pm
If he knows he wasn’t playing his best because of his injuries, he’ll come back and he should come back. If the injuries weren’t entirely responsible for his less-than-Lavonte performance, then he should hang ’em up or take a less prominent role and a reduction in salary if he wants to play. I do believe he’ll be honest with himself and the team. Good luck LVD!
February 2nd, 2026 at 6:21 pm
We need Lavonte David back. Any fan that thinks otherwise is wild.
Pray our leader comes back for one more year
February 2nd, 2026 at 6:30 pm
We must give him a few more millioms
February 2nd, 2026 at 7:05 pm
Retire your old
February 2nd, 2026 at 7:24 pm
All about how much money. You can’t pay 11 mil. 5 or 6 at the most and he should be in a reduced role.
February 2nd, 2026 at 7:29 pm
Take his bag, add to it, and get an upgrade.
February 2nd, 2026 at 7:46 pm
Dealing with injuries he’s never dealt with his entire career & then not being there 100% mentally is a tell-tell sign that his his body telling him it’s time to move on & his mind is already thinking of retirement.
If he loves the game so much that he wants to stay in it…Start a coaching career. I’m sure that Bowles would make an assistant ILB coaching role available to him to get his feet wet & to open doors up later in NFL circles.
February 2nd, 2026 at 8:10 pm
Did LVD and Bucky get together and say these injuries f-uped our head? There’s no crying in football.
February 2nd, 2026 at 8:22 pm
What kind of leader admits this? If this is the bar for the Bucs, they’re in trouble. Time for this old simp to retire.
February 3rd, 2026 at 5:58 am
first he says he would of retired if Bowles was fired and now this. I love LVD & all he’s done for us but his time has past. We need fresh motivated blood in there. LVD sounds like a grandpa whose chilling enjoying retirement but for some reason working lol
February 3rd, 2026 at 6:29 am
This entire team needs an enema.
February 3rd, 2026 at 6:44 am
The front office needs to leave to move on from players.
Dont hurt your legacy LVD, its time to go.
February 3rd, 2026 at 7:34 am
An off season of excuses…LVD wasn’t all there, Baker wasn’t 100%, the OL was never whole, WRs were out, Bucky was pouting… Good coaches mitigate & good GMs get busy to mind the gaps. What’s their excuse? Oh that’s right, Grizzard
February 3rd, 2026 at 9:48 am
Watch the interview/PC David did just a week out from football season starting last season and a big Wk1 division rivalry game on deck against the Dirty Birds. It was not long after the 53 man roster was set and a week out from Atlanta and just after David talks about “John Bully” making the team, he was asked if he was ready for the season to start and his reply was this….
“Physically yes, mentally (honestly)….not quite there yet”
The mentally stuff was prevalent even before the season kicked off. I remember that reply by David making me do a double take. It would’ve sounded much different if still in the off-season. But this was a week out from opening day and a heated division rivalry game.
February 3rd, 2026 at 11:53 am
Man, David is pumping himself up for another slow Mediocrity run. Dude needs to retire. He may have been there mentally. But Physically? He was as slow as Molasses.
February 3rd, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Fans often mistake an injured player for being an old player. I thought LaVonte may have very well been far less than 100% this past season.
February 3rd, 2026 at 1:32 pm
I disagree with all you Lavonte needs to retire people. For all the years he has excelled for the Bucs, for the different times he could have left the organization and made a lot more with another team, but he stayed, he should be given the chance to come back if he chooses. Now that doesn’t mean the Bucs shouldn’t draft his replacement, they definitely should. No one knows how injured he was except for him. Let him come back if he wishes and help his replacement learn the defense, learn behind one of the best in Bucs history.
February 3rd, 2026 at 1:55 pm
Sounds like he “wants” to play again in 2026, but is unsure whether he will be “able” to play.
February 3rd, 2026 at 8:52 pm
LD: 3rd & 28 proves everything you need to know.