Report: Lavonte David Still Considering A 2026 Return
February 24th, 2026
If a classy player plans on quitting, does he have his agent meet with his team of 14 years as free agency approaches?
Joe would answer that with a, ‘No.’
Iconic Bucs linebacker Lavonte David, the team’s second-round pick in 2012, is grappling with the idea of playing a 15th season. David last spoke publicly on the Caps Off podcast recorded just after the Super Bowl, where he said with gusto, “I still have a lot of football left in me.”
Yesterday, somebody important (perhaps David) talked to ESPN reporter Jenna Laine about David’s future. And Laine wrote last night on ESPN.com that David has not made a decision on retirement. But more important, Laine wrote that David’s “representative will meet with the Bucs to discuss.”
Now why send your agent to talk to the Bucs if retirement is dominating your thoughts? Perhaps David is on the fence about how much the Bucs are willing to pay for his services.
David already has said head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht have welcomed him back for the 2026 season — if he wants to play.
David is neither interested in playing for another team, nor interested in playing for another coach, as he pledged 100 percent support for Bowles.
The football world has invaded frigid Indianapolis (it was 20 degrees when Joe checked into his hotel around midnight) and the seeds of future contracts, potential trades and sifting through the draft chaff to begin 2026 roster construction start in earnest.
Today, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and Bowles will speak from the Indiana Convention Center, the beehive of the combine. David’s status may become more clear.
Joe wonders if a David return would make Mike Evans more eager to re-sign.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:04 am
LD is a great Buc, but he needs to park the cleats. His reaction time has slowed and he no longer has the stamina for a full time role in a 17 games season.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:45 am
Only want him back if his knee is 100% and even then most likely in a part time role unless he goes out there with a healed knee and looks quite a bit faster and dominates again.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:50 am
Hate tip to the Glazers for quietly taking care of Sterling Shepard’s incentives even when they didn’t have to.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:19 am
St Pete Matt – agreed, but he hasn’t been dominant in a long time. He was middling at best in 2023, below average in 2024 and downright bad in 2025. Now an old linebacker at the most physical position, the chances of him remaining healthy(much less dominant) are, in my opinion zero percent. Frankly it would be an absolute joke if he is starting in 2026. Lavonte would be good insurance/depth, in case whoever free agent and draft pick we have gets injured
February 24th, 2026 at 4:48 am
Wow, combine time already.
LVD returning is a must. Bring in Singleton too. We’d have the best ILBs in 2026.
Those sayinng he needs to retire Don’t know him at all, and he’ll prove it. All year I thought there was no way he’d play another year, but he’s got it in him.
Let’s focus on Edge, Singleton, OG depth, and maybe another secondary, then draft a better backup QB and a RB.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:51 am
Licht, and Bowles wanting him back prove they have no clue how to improve the defense. Don’t be surprised if Dennis is still starting on opening day alongside David, and the middle of our defense is still as open as a brothel during shore leave.
February 24th, 2026 at 5:50 am
If SVD is still starting next year we are toast.
February 24th, 2026 at 7:30 am
You can bring David back and still improve the defense, don’t be silly.
February 24th, 2026 at 8:10 am
Retire!! It’s over
February 24th, 2026 at 9:13 am
If he was playing on a bum knee for most of the year then that’s the reason for the slow down or a big chunk of it. Try him out in camp and see where it goes. Guarantee you someone would pay for his services next year if he would go that route.
February 24th, 2026 at 9:39 am
Idc if someone pays for his services, all due respect. Let them. What other teams do doesnt concern me, and if he fetches a meager 5 mill or whatever – then tha would actually tell me that they were right given his hypothetical low demand on the market. It really bothers me why we are so intent to hold on to guys simply because we don’t want to see them in another uniform. Middle linebacker play was, without a doubt the very weakest spot on the team last year, by about 100 astronomical units
February 24th, 2026 at 9:39 am
Here we go again with the daily LVD drama. Keeping LVD is wasting a valuable roster spot that can be used for a younger, faster, healthy and hungrier player. Problem is Bowles and Licht are not good at their jobs and feel secure with “that guy”. SMH
February 24th, 2026 at 10:01 am
Licht will over pay for LVD out of respect. He has to be everybody’s buddy. LVD should not be starting. Dennis should not be starting. We need two FA who are still young. Pay the price and back it up with some draft picks. We’ll have to see what our geniuses come up with. Status quo is the betting favorite.
February 24th, 2026 at 10:07 am
I hope his knee is better. He’s the best ILB on the current roster and knows Bowles defense. Even if the Bucs bring in a high-impact FA linebacker, LVD should be retained – while Bowles is coach.
February 24th, 2026 at 11:42 am
LVD looked great in the Bowles scheme last year.
Only Todd could coach such a SB contending style of defense.
The rest of the league is anxiously awaiting their chance to steal our HC\DC.
Let’s run it back and enjoy the fruits of such an intelligent game plan.
Licht is looking like a genius for resigning Todd. #SuperBowles
February 24th, 2026 at 11:42 am
My idea would be to draft Sonny Styles (1st round) and Anthony Hill Jr. (2nd round).
Those guys shore up the weakest part of our D from last year. At least to my eyeball test.
Styles takes over David’s role as the elite coverage guy with blitz ability that David never had. Hill becomes the violent, downhill enforcer WILL LB the Bucs have lacked for years.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
No one will ask Bowles the hard questions about if he is planning to change how he runs practices, when he will install a process that ensures players know their assignments, if he’d like to fix the awful tackling. Which is good. It wasn’t his fault and nobody should put our great coach on the spot.
3rd and 28, hey it wasn’t 3rd and 42.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
@luvmybucs
The Glazers are classy.
I love being a Bucs fan.
We do things the right way in à world lacking honor.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
The sad part of all of this is, If David decides to return, Bowles will let him start.
And David is Done guys. He always shows up after the play.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Please come back David
February 24th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
Shame on any real Bucs fan who gets on here and bashes the heart and soul of our Defense.
Put 3 other new starters in front 7 and Stfu