Three Takeaways From Lavonte David’s Agent Interview
March 11th, 2026
Will Lavonte David play a 15th Buccaneers season?
His agent, Ron Butler, was on WDAE radio yesterday getting peppered with questions from host Tom Krasniqi.
Joe will summarize Butler’s key responses:
*David is feeling great following the cleanup surgery on his knee, which Butler characterized as “minor,” and the agent talked about how that knee significantly affected David last season.
*David has not decided that he will play again but is likely to decide no later than early next week.
*Yes, David and his agent have a 2026 salary in mind and the agent admitted to keeping tabs on what inside linebackers Bobby Wagner and Demario Davis are earning. They’re both from David’s draft class, the legendary linebacker haul of 2012 that also produced Luke Kuechly. Davis just signed a two-year deal with the Jets for $22 million. Wagner is a free agent after another strong season for Washington last year.
Butler added that David’s ultimate decisions won’t be about money, but Joe is not buying that.
March 11th, 2026 at 8:06 am
Love Lavonte but him coming back or not is irrelevant to the outcome of the 2026 season.
March 11th, 2026 at 8:07 am
Bucs can’t afford to be paying LVD big $$$. This is the year to draft TWO quality ILBs, both of whom must be starter-capable. With Anzalone in there (and SVD as backup) we’ll have what we need at ILB.
If LVD wants to re-sign as a part-timer for significantly less $$$, then great. If not, that’s his decision.
March 11th, 2026 at 8:15 am
I heard it. They know Demario hot 10 mil per from The NYJ. LVD will wantbsomething similiar. PASS. Knee or no knee issue and he will be about the same.
He does not make us better. Time for new blood.
March 11th, 2026 at 8:19 am
“Will Lavonte David play a 15th Buccaneers season?”
At this point does it even matter if LVD plays or not? This team is not one middle aged (in football years) linebacker away from a winning season.
March 11th, 2026 at 8:20 am
Jason Licht, can’t draft, can’t you guys see that??? We are in trouble, until he leaves…..
March 11th, 2026 at 8:29 am
Licht and Bowles have scammed the Glazers again! They will not even draft a edge rusher.
March 11th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Seeing Lavonte play would be more morale boost for fans than a difference maker to get us to the playoffs. If he came back for a reasonable price then sure but it would be more to teach his successor. So more a rotation player then majority of snaps. If we don’t do anything about the edge rush, then him being back is pointless. If nothing is done to address the edge and the Bucs have a losing season both licht and Bowles should go.
March 11th, 2026 at 8:32 am
Hey Joe, remember me? Ban this one also. btw wake the F up and stop kissing Bowles A**
March 11th, 2026 at 8:38 am
We don’t have good picks in the draft the 15th and 45th pick are the best we have for difference makers. I think it’s time to rebuild we have no money a weak offensive line and defense that allows 25 points a game. We got Gainwell but ain’t no one blocking for him and baker will have a rough season. Let David retire a buc and rebuild the team we can’t compete that’s why Mike Evans left and coaching is just a joke we a new head coach and staff Todd bowls need to stay a defensive coordinator
March 11th, 2026 at 8:40 am
LVD knows this could be Todd’s last rodeo, might as well be his too. My guess is he comes back for about 7 million. Bucs don’t want to lose both Mike, and David in the same year.
March 11th, 2026 at 8:55 am
Chaisson gone to DC on a 1 year 12 mil deal….
March 11th, 2026 at 8:56 am
Imagine if Bucs would have took Luke instead of Barron. 🥴
March 11th, 2026 at 8:58 am
You cannot set the bar for what Davis and Wagner got paid. Sorry. Those two were much more productive and didn’t get hurt. Blame injuries all you want but injuries are a part of it. Let’s say injuries WERE to blame for David’s lack of ability to cover or tackle in space last yr. Then someone please explain to me why his performance was about as bad the year before? It has been clear 2 to 3 year decline. Why are people so against the truth. Personal emotions play far too much of role in how people think – it leads to delusional beliefs
March 11th, 2026 at 9:01 am
Todd Bowles doesn’t need to stay on as anything.
March 11th, 2026 at 9:05 am
Bring in Bobby Wagner so he and LVD can rotate. Anzalone is on the wrong side of 30 too, so Licht still would need to draft two ILB’s in rd2 and rd5.
March 11th, 2026 at 9:06 am
Welp there goes Trey. To the Ravens. I don’t even know what we’re doing anymore.
March 11th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Leopold, no veteran wants a part of the Bucs after Evans left. The Emporer has no clothes. The Bucs have been exposed.
March 11th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Hodad has a good point – LVD may play a final year as a favor to his friend Bowles – BUT if he declines it will be a damning indictment of the entire Bucs organization top to bottom – LVD is truly the canary in the coalmine
March 11th, 2026 at 9:17 am
Evans was the only guy we lost of significance and even with him the last 2 years what did we do? With Dean, Hall, and White gone are we really going to miss them? White maybe but not so much Hall and Dean and I think we’ll see this as the year plays out. And I can’t help but wonder now that maybe Devin White antics weren’t so much antics at all but seeing somethings taking place sooner than others did and spoke up about it and called the higher up’s out and got water boarded for it. Now his play tanked but was it because of some other things that we haven’t heard of? Maybe defensive play calling? Using guys in a way that they shouldn’t have been used? There are a lot more questions than answers with the way this off season is going. And I thought there were really only a few guys that the Bucs should have targeted in FA so they’re not hauling in a cache of players is fine with me. Still though……?
March 11th, 2026 at 9:17 am
Doesn’t matter about Trey . He wouldn’t come here just to be used as a CB .
March 11th, 2026 at 9:17 am
The Glazers are NOT funding this team for awhile, batters bones, penny pinching
March 11th, 2026 at 9:18 am
Might as well let Lavonte go
March 11th, 2026 at 9:19 am
Can we trade Godwin for a DE?
March 11th, 2026 at 9:21 am
Initial reports say Colts, Ravens and Eagles were the 3 teams in hot pursuit of Trey. 3 years 112mil
March 11th, 2026 at 9:22 am
DeAaron Says:
March 11th, 2026
. I think it’s time to rebuild we have no money a weak offensive line
+++++++++++++
With all of the starters health we do NOT have a weak offensive line. Period.
They are top 3.
March 11th, 2026 at 9:30 am
Bring in Wagner.
March 11th, 2026 at 9:36 am
A bunch of children posting here. It’s really getting old.
There’s lots of talent on this team but also a worrying number of holes. Im not sure how Licht’s covers them all but I wish him all the luck in the world. He’s off to a good start with Gainwell (a dramatic improvement in rushing, catching, and pass blocking ability) and Anzalone (almost anyone is an improvement on SVD especially during passing plays). However, there’s still quite a few to go…I must confess I was hoping for more.
March 11th, 2026 at 9:55 am
The Bowzo 3-4 Flop D gets him for another year to hobble around.
March 11th, 2026 at 10:00 am
he needs to retire. He is done.
March 11th, 2026 at 10:18 am
Just retire my man. This ship is sinking. We have a horrible captain
March 11th, 2026 at 10:23 am
People shouldn’t judge him by his play last season. The injury really did hamper him. You don’t get your knee drained before every game and run like lightning.
March 11th, 2026 at 10:28 am
He is retiring and I don’t blame him I wouldn’t want any part of what’s going on with this organization now
March 11th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Funny nobody has signed Rashad White yet. The division will be interesting as our 3 foes have been improving while we are not. By end of today 50 year old Jadaveon Clowney will be the only FA Edge left. Trade CG and a 2nd round pick next year for AJ Brown. At least then we can lose and have fun ….
March 11th, 2026 at 10:29 am
Oh cool hopes on 2027, now answer my question
March 11th, 2026 at 10:33 am
I’d rather the Bucs bring him back as Coach LVD.
My favorite Buc for the last 14 years, but it’s time.
March 11th, 2026 at 10:34 am
He’s coming back
March 11th, 2026 at 11:38 am
Can’t wait for the follow up interviews after our cornerstone players leave. I think Evans saw that Bowles was staying and thought, “Are you sh!tting me?” There will likely be more.
March 11th, 2026 at 11:47 am
LVD would just be taking up a roster spot. The defense tuned him out and he’s not a leader. Time to say goodbye
March 11th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
He will probably go to another team and collect $$$
Maybe he will join Evan’s? He did say his daughter wanted him to retire, that might be a great choice at this time.
At this point no one seems to be drinking the Kook-aid, we can only hope that something good comes from all this Bowels and Lichtenstein mess.
March 11th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Still wearing his jersey till he returns
March 11th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
I WOULD LOVE IT …
If LVD played for another team. Just another slap in the face to Bowles and Licht.
I hope he goes to Miami. He’s always wanted to play there.
March 11th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
I’m starting to think the Glazers are scamming us! Surely they recognize Todd’s shortcomings and they appear to be dumping salary. In my cynical mind they looking towards 2028 (lease is up) and moving the team. Don’t be surprised if we find out that the likes of Orlando is offering to build them an NFL entertainment complex (much like Arlington Heights is promising the Bears). They will bail or use it as leverage for Hillsborough county taxpayers to foot the bill. I find it hard to believe that an ownership who fired 2 successful coaches, one with a SB, after winning seasons would stick with Todd Bowles. Unless, they have ulterior motives.
March 11th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Old WR signs with 49ers, not let’s worry about old LB retiring. This is a game for young men. The Bucs need young, fast, physical dudes. LVD had a great run. That’s enough.
March 11th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
The Suckaneers will not win anything while Bowles is still here.
March 11th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
i’m saying nothing, because i don’t want to throw our lovable legend lavonte in the lagoon…
if he decides to return to the titanic he should bring a life-raft and some freakin’ orrs…
and a 7-eleven gift card
March 11th, 2026 at 1:39 pm
Anzelone has a great motor is very disruptive and is a leader, great pick up. Same thing with Gainwell, tough as nails, can block and catch. LVD is my favorite Buc over the last 14 years. It would be great if we get him on a one-year deal and along with Anzelone can pick up another quality LB. Absolutely mandatory that we get an impact edge rusher, or D will continue to struggle. Our OC from last year was overmatched, didn’t adapt in-game, and no creativity.. unless of course he was being throttled by HC Bowles. Speaking of Bowles he should have been fired two years ago. Bucs have shown a disturbing trend of not being “up” at the beginning of games having to get punched in the face before they kick into gear. To me, that’s not a good sign of the head coach. Plus when the Bucs have had a lead he plays “not to lose,” also not a good quality in a top-tier head coach. Also he be cannot considered a defensive Guru when his D is given up 25 – 30 points a game.
March 11th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
Hendrickson is it worth the money they’re paying him, Crosby wasn’t going to be worth the money they were going to pay him. There’s a couple free agent edges I wouldn’t have minded, but apparently they’re not letting Jason spend that much money
March 11th, 2026 at 1:57 pm
LVD should retire or move on like mike
Glazers arent spending any money on the bucs for the next 2years…
they’ll be too busy playing cricket!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
March 11th, 2026 at 1:57 pm
Ballwasher61 brought up an interesting topic that I think about from time to time and that is Devin White. How can he go from being such a dominant force in helping us win a Super Bowl, chasing Mahomes from sideline to sideline, disrupting the Chief’s backfield the whole game, and then become suddenly disposable. There’s always been something a little fishy about that. Maybe he was not used correctly? Bowles said he was bad in pass coverage, but the guy had a motor and he had Talent. Maybe he could have been just designated pass rusher..Von Miller made an All-Pro career out of that one special skill set. Also rumors he was trouble in the locker room but what a waste of talent, and a draft pick, either way
March 11th, 2026 at 1:58 pm
LVD’s age is catching up with him. Time to retire and enjoy life. The Bucs are not going anyplace this year or next year. Time for a rebuild.
March 11th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
To quote Hillary Clinton, “At this point what difference does it make?” Kind of sums up the ‘26 season.
March 11th, 2026 at 2:25 pm
JL always overpays. Cade got 10. LVD will get 9 or 10 too.
Only a couple LBs still out there for a reasonable price. Okereke and Wilson.
March 11th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
BucU – If David plays this season, his statistical contribution may be irrelevant, but his presence could be meaningful. Especially, if the aBucs start a rookie ILB (Hopefully Styles).
March 11th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
before a rebuild……..comes a colapse…….
everyone loves a great comeback
March 11th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
His knee was hurt. Bet he plays much better at times this year
March 11th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Jason: we know where we need help on defense
Alao Jason: Sits there like a lame ass duck while the best free agents gwt signed bc hes a trash heap diving garbage gm who overpays for trash and won’t open up for top tier talent.
I want a refund in 26 season passes they cam all dck off
March 11th, 2026 at 6:10 pm
ChiBuc Says:
March 11th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
I’m starting to think the Glazers are scamming us!
^^^^^^^
As Ed McMahon used to say ; “You are correct, sir.”
March 11th, 2026 at 6:20 pm
Someone must have given the owners golden shovels with long handles for digging deep holes. They may be billionaires but I would suggest their IQs would match the jersey numbers of the 5 offensive linemen and 1 tight end. ( Hint: no triple digits )