Lavonte David Explains Why He’s Unlikely To Play For A Team Other Than The Bucs
February 3rd, 2026
Only wants to play for Bucs.
Lavonte David doesn’t sound like a guy dragging out an important decision for drama. Joe really believes David doesn’t know.
Just about every Bucs fan wants to know if David returns for yet another season or if he hangs up his cleats for good.
Appearing on show “Up and Adams” hosted by Kay Adams, David said if he did decide to play, he could not see himself wearing another team’s gear other than the Bucs.
“To be honest with you, I don’t think so,” David said when Adams asked him if he would play for someone other than the Bucs. “It [is] Bucs or no [one] else. I played my 14-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they’ve been real. They’ve been loyal to me. The fans have been real loyal to me and my family growing to love the city.
“I know everybody in the building. The relationships with the guys that I built throughout my career, especially those young guys that I built a relationship with. I don’t think I [could see] me being somewhere else. I won’t feel right. I don’t know if I’ll be able to take it serious enough.
“It would just probably feel awkward, feel weird, because, I know the ins and outs of that building at One Buc. And me walking to another city, walking to another building, it would be a different aspect for me.”
Well, knowing how disciplined and focused David is with football, Joe is confident David would adjust and play damn good ball elsewhere. But if he is still weighing the pros and cons of playing another year, Joe guesses playing just one more year and having to do that away from the Bucs would be a negative.
February 3rd, 2026 at 9:23 am
🤢please make it stop lol how about giving the fans of Joe Bucs a look back at his accomplishments because most sensible ones really hope the next public appearance is him announcing his retirement
February 3rd, 2026 at 9:53 am
Hear me out.
Imagine Trey Hendrickson instead of Logan Hall at DE.
And.
Maxx Crosby at OLB lined up next to Hendrickson?
We need to massively upgrade the right side of our defensive line.
We need a beast at DE and a beast at right outside linebacker.
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:07 am
I like the idea of Hendrickson, only costs money, no picks or players to be given up
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:21 am
LVD needs to retire. It was evident this season he has lost a step. May be because of injury, but also because of age. The big problem that the Bucs have is that there is no one to replace him. And no it’s not SVD or another brilliant hyped up draft pick by Licht. Bucs need to be active in free agency and get quality players.
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:21 am
LVD never spoke the whole time he was here and now he won’t shut up. I hope his next interview is to announce his retirement. He was good but not great, had no leadership skills and certainly didn’t raise the level of play of those around him. Defense needs to get younger, more physical and nastier.
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:24 am
He’s already stated he doesn’t like how everyone is after Bowles and he would rather play for him. Get the talent to convince LVD to play one more year and also prove whether or not Todd Bowles is capable of leading a team deep into the playoffs. This is all on JL and the Glazers shoulders at this point to make it all work. If there isn’t any effort to bring in the FAs needed, then we all have our answer, because the draft is not going to bring in the skill set they need right now.
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:25 am
NFL top 100 player going into last year. 114 tackles, interception (big one!), 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 and a half sacks. All in the top half of inside linebacker’s in the league. All on a wounded knee. He’s not in his prime anymore. But for a defense lacking leadership and inside linebacker quality, maybe it’d be best not to run him off just yet. You reckon?
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:27 am
Nothing is going to help as long as Bowles is here. It’s truly disgusting watching GMFB and all the shows. Every couple clips of Quarterback’s, Receivers,TE and running back tearing up Bowles defense. They’re showing a few teams also but it’s always Bowles defense. Totally embarrassing.
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:28 am
If the Bucs do not somehow begin to generate a consistent Pass Rush, next year will be rinse and repeat for the Defense.
I do not know how you pay Hendrickson and Crosby but that would be just what the doctor ordered lol
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:43 am
Kenton, as much as I like and appreciate LD, he isn’t close to being dominate any longer. He was tied for last in pass coverage and not much better in missed tackles. Brooks wasn’t good his last year either!
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:48 am
David will play another year.
Wanna know how I’m sure of that? Easy.
If it was time for him to retire, there would be no hesitation. He obviously feels he has more gas in the tank. By delaying, he can skip some camps if he chooses. It won’t affect the team. They have to find a replacement regardless.
Evans will play another year as well.
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:49 am
bucnjim Says:
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:43 am
“Kenton, as much as I like and appreciate LD, he isn’t close to being dominate any longer.”
Then explain before the bye week.
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:51 am
I just got out of jail true story. First thing i did was check out bucs news. And the robinson hire will be considered better than mcdaniel with time. Bowles can figure it out as well although the seat is scolding hot. We need licht to spend on the defense. The guy puts money in wrong places acts like hes getting the discounts on these contracts but in reality its our no state tax. i think his time is actually up. If you were going to go and get egbuka in the draft why sign godwin back especially after all the injuries. Coulda went and got a decent pass ruaher for that price. Both teams in super bowl are defensive teams. Spend money on defense we looked best without godwin and evans last year i love those guys but they had their run. Just not worth it anymore. Aint defending bowles but at the end of the day everyone just needs to do their damn job.
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:57 am
Bonzai, Not sure what you are referring to? His tackle total was the lowest of his career. He was last in pass coverage allowing 132 QB rating, and missed tackles were by far the most in his career. Before the bye week he had two tackles against the Texans and three tackles against the Eagles. Not trying to make him look bad, just making a point that it’s time to retire.
February 3rd, 2026 at 11:14 am
Didn’t we have an article that said he would only play for Bowles recently?
I mean one can infer from that statement that he won’t be playing for anyone but the Bucs after that article. Correct?
February 3rd, 2026 at 11:51 am
Lavonte is a future Ring of Honor for us. No Question. But somebody please tell him it’s time for him to ride off into the sunset. His play has gone down, and he isonly running on the field. We need a new starter at his critical position. This is what I mean by Mediocrity fellow Buc fans. Davis is done. And Bowles needs to tell him. But he won’t. He will keep him as this defense once again becomes a laughing stock RETIRE DAVID PLEASE.
February 3rd, 2026 at 12:02 pm
David is loyal and he doesn’t need the money.