Will A Sad Ranking Motivate Lavonte David?
February 23rd, 2026
“They think you’re washed, Tae.”
When Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles host news conferences tomorrow at the NFL Scouting Combine, fans might learn the football fate of legendary Lavonte David.
David said the Bucs have welcomed him back for his 15th season, but David has not made a decision public. He has said he has “a lot of football left in me,” and that he’s still weighing his 2026 options.
Like every legendary player, David is a highly competitive dude. He gutted through knee issues last season to rank tied for 35th in combined tackles (114) including 3 1/2 sacks. David didn’t miss a game despite regularly having a knee drained.
TheAtheltic.com, the pay-per-read New York Times product, ranked 150 pending NFL free agents. One of them is David.
He checked in at No. 149.
Contract projection: 1 year, $6.5 million
Age: 36 Height: 6-1 Weight: 233
David lost a step (or two) in his age-35 season. He averaged 32.1 snaps per splash play, the highest of his career, and he is not an impact defender anymore. But his experience makes him a possible depth piece, if he chooses to keep playing.
Joe wonders what David thought when he saw that. And yes, Joe is confident someone in David’s circle sent the article his way with a wiseass comment or two.
Joe suspects a fire was lit in David, a guy not used to hearing that he’s a third-class player.
David has spent most of his career feeling disrespected because he was left out of Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams. Understandably so.
It’s possible David doesn’t want to leave the game with people thinking he can’t play anymore when he believes he can.
February 23rd, 2026 at 9:44 am
He is no longer a 3 down LB. It is Time. He needs to look in the Mirror and as Spike once said, ‘do the Right thing’ and pack it in.
February 23rd, 2026 at 9:50 am
For a moment I thought that Joe thought it was understandable that he was left off the Pro Bowl roster, then I reread the sentence.😒
February 23rd, 2026 at 9:53 am
Please retire LVD. Licht and Bowles are just wasting a valuable roster spot on him.
February 23rd, 2026 at 9:55 am
If the Bucs welcome him back they’re not serious about improving. ROH GM will be out of a job next year.
February 23rd, 2026 at 9:59 am
Hopefully he took it with grain of salt. I am sure other LB!’s like Bobby Wagner or similar players would rank no better. The NFL is a youth club, which David is way over. He is also at this stage more valuable to himself and the Bucs or any other team more valuable as a role of part time player. I think his playing for the Bucs another year in that role is very much needed in many aspects!!!.
Let’s hope he plays another year in that role
February 23rd, 2026 at 10:05 am
I hope he’s brought back and his knee is better. He didn’t have a typical year – his knee, SVD, and loss of speed hurt him. However, he’s smart and knows Bowles’ defense.
I hope the Bucs bring in a FA who is a starter, not a typical Licht Dollar Store guy. Also the Bucs should draft a rd 2 or 3 ILB. LVD is extremely valuable while Bowles is here, likely one year.
February 23rd, 2026 at 10:33 am
Like many others, I was in favor of LVD retiring also. But IF he’s truly back 100% healthy, and is willing to play in a part-time role, it might be advantageous to re-sign him (at a reduced salary of course).
This past season LVD blitzed 55 times in 17 games, and got 3.5 sacks, 2 QB knockdowns & 5 hurries for a total of 11 pressures. Plus 114 tackles & 8 TFLs. And oh ya, 1 INT plus 2 FFs & 2 FRs. Only Diaby & Vea got more sacks than LVD did.
I could see LVD in a part-time role as the 3rd LB in what sets up as a 4-3 defense, and blitzing as the situations allowed. Hopefully the Bucs draft a beastly DT/NT (Kayden McDonald is still my favorite pick at #15). I can imagine a front of Vea, McDonald, Kancey & Diaby, backed up by 3 LBs & 4 Secondary. That should be able to provide a decent interior pass rush plus respectable blitzing options.
February 23rd, 2026 at 10:36 am
Kickoff team players don’t have to run as far anymore. New special teams guru, it’d be great if Lavonte led the kickoff team to a total about face. Then spot duty at linebacker to get the new guys up to speed. He’s got value for this team whether he’s lost a step or not. Hope he stays healthy and plays one more season.
February 23rd, 2026 at 10:39 am
“We KNOW you’re washed, Todd.”
February 23rd, 2026 at 10:43 am
If you bring him back in the right role (mentor and spot player) I can see a lot of good reasons to do it
February 23rd, 2026 at 10:56 am
Better to retire a year too early than a year too late. Jim Brown retired at the top of his game which is another reason he was truly the greatest to have ever played.
February 23rd, 2026 at 11:09 am
Ego is a hard thing to conquer. I’m 66 and still think I can kick a$$. It’s a pipe dream. LD needs to save face and retire.
February 23rd, 2026 at 11:34 am
6.5 million dollars…..good grief.
February 23rd, 2026 at 11:53 am
Nice coaching material, time to hang them up!! Thank you for your greatness!! Go Bucs
February 23rd, 2026 at 12:01 pm
DR, I’m a big fan of McDonald too. Haven’t heard him discussed much here. Aside from you. Would be totally on board with grabbing him as an impact DT. It all stems from inside pressure. Everyone plays better with effective inside pressure.
February 23rd, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Your body tells you when it’s time, not your mind! Do some self evaluation and realize that actually last year was a year too long. This year would be two years too long.
February 23rd, 2026 at 1:35 pm
The problem I have with these rankings is that they do not consider multiples years, nor the state of the entire team in the same year.
Yes, David had a down year.
No, it doesn’t mean he’s “lost a step (or two)”.
The entire team was a mess last year.
February 23rd, 2026 at 1:42 pm
When I think about LD losing a step I refer to his ranking last among all linebackers in pass coverage. QB’s against him had a 132 passer rating! That’s nothing personal it is what it is.