“He’s Been In The Building Doing Some Rehab”
February 25th, 2026
Lavonte David news.
Does this smell like the move of a player ready to retire?
Guess what Lavonte David has been doing during some of his winter vacation. He’s been at One Buc Palace.
Keep in mind David is known for spending his offseasons in his hometown of Miami.
The news came from Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht himself, speaking yesterday on WDAE radio (shortly before Mike Evans’ oily agent embarrassed himself). Licht said he doesn’t know what David is thinking right now regarding a decision to play in 2026. However, Licht said, “I know he’s been in the building doing some rehab.”
Why would David be doing “rehab” with the Bucs if he isn’t leaning toward playing next season?
It’s not like David had a major injury and he is a pending free agent. Perhaps David had offseason surgery, a cleanup on his knee? Joe is speculating, but man, Joe is very curious as to David’s motivation to be at team headquarters.
David might want the Bucs to watch him train — to see how strong and responsive his body is in hopes of scoring a bigger contract offer.
The David situation is getting interesting. Bucs officials plan to meet with David’s representative(s) this week.
February 25th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
If he’s coming back it needs to be as LB2. At this stage of his career he can’t be your best off-ball linebacker
February 25th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Good if it helps him in his old age but get him out now, He has contributed well. Old BrokeBucs should get access to rehab facilities and good physical health help in retirement. Old injuries surface in your old age. Of course they can afford private help if they did not squander the millions they were paid.
February 25th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
@ DOM
Agree with you, but let me add the Bucs, but if you don’t mind, if LVD comes back, we will need a LB #1, because he will be #2.
And I love the guy dearly.
February 25th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
I’m all for LVD coming back. Reduce his snaps and get some young blood in the rotation.
February 25th, 2026 at 1:28 pm
Jacob Rodriguez had formal meetings with the Cowboys and the Broncos today. And he has one more formal meeting tonight with-drum roll please…the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!
February 25th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
I’m just curious to see how well LVD is moving once his knee is healed. I mean, weekly fluid drainings last season? That will slow down even the fastest LB’s. After that knee is 100%, then let’s see if he has truly lost a step (or five), and if he hasn’t, then he should be back, assuming he still desires to play.
February 25th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
Again, you have to be realistic and plan for life without David – but if he IS healthy, does regain at least half a step from last year, then yeah – absolutely you want him back. But you have to act like he won’t be there, then if he is and is back healthy it’s a huge bonus.
February 25th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
What Rod Munch said!
February 25th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Met Lavonte at training camp six years back and he’s a class act in addition to an all time Bucs great. Hoping he retires a Buc and sticks around the building helping this organization for decades.
February 25th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
In the NFL at David’s age, you don’t regain that lost step or 2. Not at his position, it’s gone. Father time has caught up with him. Don’t know why he cannot come to terms with this. I just fear that if he returns, Bowkes will start him. Thus cementing another season in Mediocrity.
February 25th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Tremaine Edwards is seeking a trade or will likely be released by the Bears.
February 25th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
Let’s all be honest here. That position needs an upgrade. It is Time!
February 25th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
He’d obviously be awesome depth. But need higher upside from the front 7 starters. More violence, size, and speed.
February 25th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
Mike Johnson Says:
February 25th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
In the NFL at David’s age, you don’t regain that lost step or 2. Not at his position, it’s gone. Father time has caught up with him. Don’t know why he cannot come to terms with this. I just fear that if he returns, Bowkes will start him. Thus cementing another season in Mediocrity.
=====================================
There was a time when in offseason, NFL players would stay in their team city and begin to develop skills for an after football career. Some would become insurance salesmen, bankers, etc. With the money in the NFL today, this isn’t as necessary. Many of these guys just don’t know what to do with themselves once they leave the game. The consequence is many hang on too long. Having watched multiple times all the 2025 Bucs games, it is past time for LVD to retire. Maybe the Bucs can find something for him to do in the organization? The fans on these pages are clamoring for linebacker help in the draft for good reason. Somebody needs to level with LVD.
February 25th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
Clearly the result of some Todd Bowles feedback, the exercises he’s doing were prescribed by the Bucs hands on, active coach.
February 25th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
You can’t rehab old age. Boop, or get off the pot already David.
February 25th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Mike Johnson … ‘I just fear that if he returns, Bowkes will start him.’
I’m afraid of exactly the same thing Mike. Bucs’ defense lacked FIELD LEADERSHIP these past couple of years, even with LVD out there. We NEED some new blood that’s not only top-of-the-line TALENT, but also great FIELD LEADERS.
Bucs have had their best defenses when we’ve had quality FIELD LEADERS in 3 locations: DLine, LBs, Secondary. Back in the Dungy years that was Sapp, Brooks, Lynch. Back in the BA years that was Suh, LVD & not sure who in the Secondary. But who stood out last season as our FIELD LEADERS on defense?
Offense has some quality field leadership (Mayfield, Bredeson, Evans come to mind), but we’re missing that on defense. Take LVD off the field, and the FIELD LEADERSHIP situation gets even worse, UNLESS we bring in at least a couple of quality FAs (DT & ILB might be nice adds for that, and HOPEFULLY Antoine Winfield finds his former self & becomes the Secondary’s leader).
I wouldn’t mind seeing LVD re-sign, but NOT as a starter. Give him a reasonable contract as a part-timer, but with quality incentives (for sacks, TFLs, etc) and use him largely in 3 ILB packages (that’d allow him to blitz a bunch without us compromising pass coverage).
February 25th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
I would love to trade back twice and get an extra 2nd round and an extra 3rd round pick.
Imagine two 2nd round picks and two 3rd round picks?
Imagine drafting a MLB in the 2nd and a MLB in the 3rd.
And Lavonte comes back for 1 more year to mentor TWO middle linebackers.
1st round: trade back twice. Get an extra 2nd and an extra 3rd.
2nd round: MLB
2nd round: DE
3rd round: MLB
3rd round: DT
4th round: NT
Beef up the middle of the defense!
Sign a free agent EDGE.
February 25th, 2026 at 4:40 pm
To fix our Defense, you start with Edge1 and ILB2 next to David.
Then CB and Depth. Simple as that
February 25th, 2026 at 4:44 pm
Looking like our Leader is coming back and that is something Tampa Bay should be elated about. This is not the year to have tio fill his leadership void. Fill the holes around him first, we still need 2 ILBs lol