Lavonte David Isn’t Sure He Wants To Play For The Bucs In 2024
January 10th, 2024
Painful moment today at One Buc Palace.
Buccaneers legend Lavonte David was asked if he wants to play for the Buccaneers next season, what would be his 13th in a Tampa Bay uniform.
David didn’t have an answer.
“Oh, man. You know, that’s a straight-up question,” David replied. “Shoot. I don’t know, man. I’m just going to take it, you know, one day at a time. Right now I just want to be able to give my all to the team and to my teammates, and to be able to take this thing as long as we can go.”
Ouch!
After David re-signed on a one-year contract prior to this season, he made it clear he was eager to return and was ecstatic that it worked out.
Now he’s not so sure. Has something changed?
David’s 133 combined tackles this season led the team and was his highest total since 2015. He had a whopping 17 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks, his highest totals since 2016.
Joe thinks David should be a priority re-signing for the Bucs. If the team is serious about winning, then it should be serious about David.
January 10th, 2024 at 6:17 pm
Could be he is going to retire or could be he would like to play somewhere else where he doesn’t have to be the superman of the defense. How about having some defensive linemen that can make some tackles.
January 10th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
He is not going anywhere, worst case scenario he retires!!
January 10th, 2024 at 6:22 pm
Or LVD thought the intent of the question was about retirement. I like LVD but its ok to turn the page on player.
January 10th, 2024 at 6:22 pm
Retirement is what I was getting from it . I can’t imagine seeing him or Evans in a different uniform.
January 10th, 2024 at 6:22 pm
Probably wants to plan for a talented defensive coordinator and head coach. He has neither with the Yucs. Clueless Todd strikes again!
January 10th, 2024 at 6:23 pm
lol that’s street talk for I’m not taking another home town discount so if you want me here you go to pay me!
January 10th, 2024 at 6:29 pm
Must re-signs because of their on field performance:
LVD
Evans
Winfield
McLaughlin
Baker (if Bowles/Cannales stay)
January 10th, 2024 at 6:34 pm
Re-Sign:
-RILB Lavonte David
Sign: Free Agent
-LILB Kyzir White (Arizona)
January 10th, 2024 at 6:35 pm
REPORTERS CREATING ISSUES WHERE THERE ARE NONE …
I heard him say he’s focused on the playoffs and that’s all he’s thinking about. Not even sure why a reporter would ask him about anything other than MNF.
January 10th, 2024 at 6:39 pm
I notice a lot of the older guys like Suh, JPP, Julio Jones, etc. become mercenaries in their later years.
They have plenty of cash already and they don’t want to go through training camps or preseason anymore. Just join a team that is heading to the play-offs and make a few easy million…
LVD won’t be any different.
January 10th, 2024 at 6:39 pm
33 in the NFL is a good age to keep your optios open. I don’t think it means anything either way
January 10th, 2024 at 6:51 pm
lvd is playing poker, he knows what time it is….
January 10th, 2024 at 7:02 pm
People ask this guy a stupid question when the season has worn on his body which is probably racked with aches and pains right now. Seasons not even finished yet. We already got the cheapest paid NFL coach and QB. Trying to get David on the cheap too aye?
January 10th, 2024 at 7:11 pm
He could go the route of Wink Martindale @ the Giants and go in and call the owner a few real bad names, get fired, make a few calls, and be on another team in a day or two.
He’s been on a team that was a quarterback away from a Super Bowl, got the QB and got his ring that year. He knows what that team looked like.
Even if Bucs find a way to a Divisional game there can’t be many that think Bucs are a year away from a Super Bowl.
Kyle Van Noy sat back a minute and found himself on a Contender and odds on favorite to win AFC.
January 10th, 2024 at 7:16 pm
Pete Carroll let go, add another coach to the list I would replace Bowles with.
David is a priority resign. We need to spend draft capital elsewhere and going into next season with Dennis and Britt as starters doesn’t give me a ton of confidence.
January 10th, 2024 at 7:18 pm
I think he may be concerned that Bowels will be retained in which case it would be pointless to play for the Bucs.
January 10th, 2024 at 7:20 pm
Part of it may be that he’s not sure he wants to continue playing. Part of it could come down to what the coaching situation looks like. Asking a guy to make a commitment right before a playoff game when there are a ton of unanswered questions isn’t necessarily going to give you the answer you wanna hear, especially if they’re nearing the end. No ouch here. I respect Lavonte and whatever he decides he wants to do, whether it’s retire or go play another year somewhere else. Plus, he probably realizes he’s given too much away in contract negotiations by being so locked in to Tampa. He’s getting paid half of what he could be making. Next year, he’d probably want a little more.
January 10th, 2024 at 7:22 pm
After the SB I was ok with letting LVD walk, I mean we had Devin White and LVD was over 30 and I thought it was time.
All I can say is I was very wrong about that.
He’s playing better than ever and I don’t want to lose him.
Give him a nice 2 year deal please.
January 10th, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Hometown discount and/or Bucs legend.. Up to him.
January 10th, 2024 at 7:41 pm
He is making sure that Bowles is not the head-coach next year. He is not coming back with Bowles.
January 10th, 2024 at 7:45 pm
Just sounds like at the end of a long year he’s not wanting to think about having to go through training camp in July. I didn’t really ready much more into that statement than that, but just my opinion, I didn’t hear his tone.
January 10th, 2024 at 7:57 pm
I suspect if another team waves a can’t refuse offer in his face he takes it. The guy is 33yrs old. I’m sure retirement has crossed his mind. But If a team offers him a wad of cash to be a part time player/mentor to a young group of line backers. He may tell Tampa to kick rocks. The season isn’t even over yet and people are asking him how he feels about next season. Don’t read too much into it. He is at that age where he could walk away and feel good about it. He just hasn’t had time to decide yet.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:08 pm
I wouldn’t feel that uncomfortable with Dennis and Britt at linebacker. I think they’d be fine.
Darius Leonard was the best linebacker in football a few years back. I notice he changed his name, got cut, and now is a backup on the Eagles.
Things change! Let the kids play!
January 10th, 2024 at 8:12 pm
Considering how inspiring and energetic the head coach is… oh wait, sorry, wrong coach.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:35 pm
He had the perfect non-answer to a question that’s at least one game too early to be asked. Monday night is 4 days away. Next season is light years away from where his mind needs to be.
Nothing burger with people trying to de-code some hidden meaning. Get a grip.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:38 pm
Kind of unfair to ask that question of a 33 year old LB at the end of the season when every part of his body is probably talking to him. Give him a month or 2 to heal up and ponder what an extra few million would mean over the next 40 years of retirement.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:38 pm
I know there is a lot of hate for Todd Bowles but the players love him.
I would be more inclined to believe that he doesn’t want to learn a new defense and that he would play another year if Bowles comes back.
The grass isn’t always greener.
Who is to say we aren’t a year away?
Another killer draft and we are right there.
Then we are ready for a new QB.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:40 pm
Really, Joe? That’s what you think…that he’s thinking of playing elsewhere? He’s not ready to think about what he’s doing next year, and I can guarantee that he’s contemplating retiring. If we somehow pull off a miracle run and win the Super Bowl, I think he’ll hang ’em up.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:54 pm
Not an appropriate time for a response by him….but IMHO….i would want to know who my coaching staff will be before committing to another year under Bowels…….otherwise….hire out to highest bidder to insure future financial comfort…..
January 10th, 2024 at 8:56 pm
Didn’t hear anything about saying he didn’t want to play for the Bucs ! Sounds like he wants to focus on this game
January 10th, 2024 at 8:58 pm
U guys say so much stupid ignorant garbage lvd is not coming back if Bowles is still coach he won the SB with Bowles what morons it’s 5 days before the playoffs & what’s on his mind firing Bowles we need to fire u stupid people that post is really dumb stuff IDIOT
January 10th, 2024 at 9:21 pm
i’m starting to think lavonte might just pull a ronde…and play forever…well sorta…
and play to the point, and put up the numbers to the point, where he can’t be denied from the hall…
hey anythings possible if his body holds up as he ages
January 10th, 2024 at 9:22 pm
without all the pro bowls it’s a bit of a problem…
but if he can secure a second superbowl, that might hold some weight down the line when talking the hof
January 10th, 2024 at 10:02 pm
What a stupid Question right before a playoff game! Might as well ask him if he thinks he is to old to play next. Year. Then you have all these idiot comments on here like they are speaking for LVD
January 10th, 2024 at 10:53 pm
54 should be put in the Ring of Honor at halftime.
F the Eagles
January 10th, 2024 at 11:36 pm
Joe I think you may be reading a bit much from what he said. I got that he is focused on the Eagles as all Bucs layer should be.
Go Bucs!
January 10th, 2024 at 11:37 pm
He has had an amazing career, loves the game but it takes longer to bounce back. His career and chances to be HOF have been hurt by the media and fans with only one All Pro and Pro Bowl even though he has great stats. I hope he gets in but it will be years if it ever happens. If he still has the love of the game and his body is up to it then he deserves a bigger pay check as he is still productive.
January 10th, 2024 at 11:44 pm
The players see, in practice and in that fake qb competition that Trask is clearly heads and shoulders above Baker. They also saw Bowles starting JTS ahead of YAYA for most of the year and they see how Markees Watts is a beast and can’t get meaningful time. So how can a player give it their all when the coach has a tendency to NOT put the best talent on the field. Mark my words, if Bowles stays, most free agents will have including Winfield Evans and David. All because Bowles likes to play lesser players!!
January 11th, 2024 at 12:52 am
ALTBuc: You’re living in a dream world if you think that the players would choose Trask over Baker. Even Trask knows what the front office and coaching staff thinks of him. Why else was he 3rd stringer for two years?
First of all, Baker outclassed him in training camp. Then Baker showed all the Baker Haters like you that he was a Top-10 QB. Just look at his stats. And Baker will be better next year!
January 11th, 2024 at 12:55 am
ALTBuc: I also guarantee that Evans will not sign with the Bucs if they go with a rookie QB. Not this late in his career. Plus he respects Baker.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:44 am
Levonte David had a really good year, this year. Contract years can do that you know. It’s a highly motivational time.
I could see David joining Deva white, playing for the saints, or chiefs next year if the Bucs low ball him…them. like they did Brooks at the end of his career here.
Time will tell. Nothing personal, it’s just business.
January 11th, 2024 at 6:57 am
I’ll respect any decision Lavonte makes. Heart and soul of the defense for a decade.
January 11th, 2024 at 8:29 am
The above is a dumb take but not surprising from some of you.
Do you really think at his age we wants to learn an entirely new defensive scheme after playing in this one since 2019?
January 11th, 2024 at 8:30 am
ATLBuc,
Trust me, no one is marking your words. NO ONE.
January 11th, 2024 at 8:43 am
His was a non-answer; “Talk when the season is over, I’,m focused on the Iggles right now.”
January 11th, 2024 at 8:51 am
If LVD’s quote is correct, it sounds like he’s played a whole season, and he’s tired. He’s concentrating on getting set for MNF. C’mon Joe, you’re stretching his words out a little too thin. Licht will reward him, and Canton BETTER! I’m sure retirement is also on his mind. He knows football is a young man’s game.
January 11th, 2024 at 9:06 am
I thought EVERY player loved Blows???
January 11th, 2024 at 9:44 am
‘Joe thinks David should be a priority re-signing for the Bucs. If the team is serious about winning, then it should be serious about David.’
LVD rightly didn’t answer that question (obviously premature). Nonetheless I agree with you Joe about LVD being a ‘priority re-signing’. The only question is … at what priority?
IMO Winfield is #1 priority. Since he wasn’t a 1st Rnd pick, we’d lose him is we don’t pay him & that’s unacceptable. He’s a future HOFer providing he can stay healthy of course.
Wirfs is the #2 priority. He’ll play on a 5th-year contract since he was a 1st Rnd pick, but that’s NOT in our best interests because it would cost us slightly over $18 mil as a salary CAP hit, severely limiting our available $$$ to pay others. Best to get Tristan on a long-term contract (4-5 years), with maybe $8-$10 mil counting against 2024 and use the $10 mil difference for other needs.
Evans is #3 priority. We already owe him $12.2 mil CAP hit even if he doesn’t play for us (from previous years). Even if we re-sign him for his Market Value ($23.8 mil) we can still come out ahead because we can roll all that in. Greenberg will make it work.
McLaughlin is #4 priority. Top kickers are really hard to find, and he’s been outstanding for us. I’d expect to have to pay somewhere between $4 – $5 mil per year on about a 4-year contract for his services. He’s worth it.
David is #5 priority. LVD’s had a tremendous year (even at 33 years old) & he sets the example for this defense. Personally can’t imagine our Bucs’ defense without him. He’ll be back. Even if he doesn’t play for us, we’ll have to pay him $2.7 mil CAP Hit that was deferred from this past year, so it’s in our best interest to re-sign him so we can stretch that out a bit more.
BTW, those Priorities 1-5 are actually all Priority 1’s. We NEED all 5 of those players to return for 2024. They’re the keepers.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:00 am
WyomingJoe … ‘Even Trask knows what the front office and coaching staff thinks of him. Why else was he 3rd stringer for two years?’
That’s unfair to Kyle Trask, and it’s not true (even though you & others keep repeating the same thing over & over & over). Brady was ALWAYS gonna be #1, and he never took any rookie under his wing. Gabbert was BA’s choice to be Brady’s #2 and that was all she wrote. Trask’s job for those 1st 2 years was to sit, observe & learn. Period. He got ZERO snaps in 2021 & only TEN snaps in ONE game in 2022. That’s not much of an opportunity to show what you can do.
You and I have no idea what he’s capable of if he were to become our starting QB. We have nothing to base any opinion on. But I’ll at least admit to being curious based on (1) his past college resume; (2) his performance in the preseason this year; and (3) his size (at 6’5″ & 236 lbs he’s kinda got the prototypical size for a pocket passer?). We’ll never know though if he’s never given a chance to work with the 1’s.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:18 am
He answered a loaded question with an honest answer. Im sure we will still be talking about it until March. Noone offered him a truck full of money to play for them this season, not sure how he gets more this offseason. He is a tackling machine, but that is his job as a MLB. Just like Diva you cant pay premium money for positions that dont get sacks or ints.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:26 am
It sounded like he wasn’t sure about retirement. He said he loves the game though and to me it sounds like he hasn’t even thought about his future yet. I hope he stays two more years!
January 11th, 2024 at 11:45 am
if you had to play with a loafer {White} you would want to play somewhere else
January 11th, 2024 at 1:57 pm
Bring in Bill as head coach and to run the defense and retain our OC. Or promote OC AND BRING in Bill as DC
January 11th, 2024 at 2:08 pm
Hes waiting for Bowles to be fired
January 11th, 2024 at 6:47 pm
If he’s going to play next year we definitely have to sign him he can’t go nowhere else I honestly thought there was a possibility of him retiring but if that’s not going to happen like I said many times in other comments we have to sign him we have to sign Evans we have to sign Winfield