Lavonte David: It’s The Bucs Or Retirement
February 23rd, 2024
Narrowed choices for 2024.
Jason Licht, the ball is in your court.
Bucs icon linebacker Lavonte David, who only trails the great Derrick Brooks in total career tackles for the Bucs, appeared on local radio yesterday and told the world via the public’s airwaves he has no intention, desire or interest to play for any team other than the one that drafted him in 2012, the Bucs.
So now it seems, Licht, the Bucs’ AC/DC-loving general manager, has to decide to pay David or for find another stud linebacker.
David said if he doesn’t play for the Bucs again, that means he has hung up his cleats for good.
David made his announcement on WDAE-AM 620.
“I would want to stay a Buc for the rest of my career as long as I play,” David said, by way of Cory Woodroof of “For the Win.” “I do want to retire a Buc, but, y’know, it’s just got to be a mutual thing.”
So what is a “mutual thing?” For Joe, it seems obvious: What will be the Bucs offer?
If the Bucs offer David a fair deal, he’ll come back. If the Bucs try to lowball him, David will call it a career.
David, who turned 34 two days after the season-ending loss to the Lions in the divisional playoff round, had his third-best season in tackles for loss with 17, third-best season for sacks (4.5) and third-best season in passes defensed (5).
David also had his fifth-best season in tackles (134).
Yes, the man can still play.
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:00 am
I don’t see any other option. We’ve got to sign him. Another one year deal type thing maybe? He’s done so much for the team, I don’t think the Glazers would mind some dead cap for a at the very least Ring of Honor member, if not Hall of Famer.
February 23rd, 2024 at 5:24 am
No brainer. Get the deal done and Fire the Cannons!
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:04 am
I don’t care that he’s 34. He still plays like he’s 24 and is the best LB on the team. Pay him the respect he’s due.
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:13 am
Great news! Welcome back Lavonte!
A deal will get done.
In Licht I trust!
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:34 am
A world class football player and an even better human being.
Sign him JL.
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:58 am
I hope the Bucs find a way to bring him back for one more year. David has earned it!
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:23 am
Re-sign him and take a hard look at both Britt and Denis this year to determine if you have the future LBs on the team or need to draft one in 2025.
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:24 am
One of the best on and off the field. I sure hope they can find a way for Lavonte to stay.
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:42 am
Pay him. He has earned it, not just because of longevity; he played as well as a LB as Evans did as a WR.
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:42 am
He’s with a solid $8 million
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:59 am
This man plays like a pro bowler and is incredible for the team. Not to mention he would be invaluable as we swap out the other MLB this year. I see no scenario where he retires because Licht doesn’t pay him.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:11 am
No freaking brainer. RESIGN HIM
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:42 am
Hopefully the Glazers learned their lesson with Brooks! Let this man retire on his terms! His leadership is invaluable!
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:42 am
Give David two more years he’s a dawg
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:01 am
The Glazers and Licht need to come through, PERIOD!
LVD for HOF – Ira and Joe need to sell him to the national media.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:13 am
Joe … ‘If the Bucs offer David a fair deal, he’ll come back.’
Lavonte just gave us the answer to one of our problems (ILB). He’s perfectly willing to play for a fair deal. No brainer.
Last year LVD played under a 1-year contract for $4.5 mil. After the numbers he posted, I’d expect a ‘fair deal’ would be more than that, but not ridiculously more. Probably on the order of $7 mil on a 1-year deal, or maybe $12 mil on a 2-year deal. The latter is what I’d opt for since LVD stays in fantastic shape.
With 2 more years, I think there’s an outstanding chance that LVD could end up in the HOF one day.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:34 am
HOFer
PLEASE come back Lavonte……
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:03 am
David is one of three we must sign this year.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:23 am
Lavonte David is the ultimate team player!!!!! Mike Evans are you watching?????? I fear Mike’s pride cares more about the contract he gets than his Bucs legacy. Mike, think about this…….in 10 years or 20 years from now the only thing people will remember is how you finished your career. Pay attention to what David is saying. He will be remembered as a buccaneer for life, will you?
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:32 am
One more season bro we aint ready to lose you…
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:40 am
I believe in David. I have complete respect for this man and if he says he’s got another year then I’m bringing him back. And when he doesn’t have another year he’s gonna be on the Buccaneer staff. He should always have a seat at the table.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:48 am
BUCman – Well said !
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:00 pm
I heard that interview and Ronnie and TKraz literally put those words in his mouth and rather than ruffling the feathers of local fans by saying he wants to play even if the Bucs don’t meet him in contract talks where he’d like. He literally said, “I guess YOU could say that….”
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:06 pm
Sign LVD!
Go Bucs!!!
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:14 pm
what he said, does not mean what the title says.
I want to be a buc until i retire, but they have to want to me.
he didnt say “i want to play another year, but they have to want me”.
If we dont want him, he will play somewhere else till he retires, is the implication.
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:45 pm
should be a no brainer to offer the man a fair deal. 2nd favorite LB ever behind DB55
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Staying here, even with a hometown discount makes perfect sense. He’s been here so long and his family has roots here so why relocate for only another year (or 3)? He has more than enough bank to live comfortably the rest of his life and football (not just playing but the preparation) takes a toll so why add to that by moving for a couple of bucks more?
He already has his retirement plan figured out, which will be in the Tampa area, so pay the man to keep him here a little longer. We’ll probably lose D White and Shaq so we’ll need his leadership as well as his still-top-tier play.
He should be an easy ROH and eventual HOF inductee. He’s a smart and thoughtful guy. I have no doubt s that he’ll do what’s best for himself and his family either way. I wish nothing but the best for him. True warrior and leader.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:30 pm
We could resign LVD AND get Bobby Wagner for 1/3 the price of what Baker wants. There is your NO BRAINER.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:34 pm
Sign him. Find his future replacement. I expect the decline will start this year. It has too right? Find someone for him to mentor and teach and hope we can keep the streak of outstanding OLBs on the Bucs.
February 23rd, 2024 at 5:16 pm
What a stud.
Don’t think we will get that kind of production for his price anywhere else in free agency, will we?
February 24th, 2024 at 8:49 am
DeRobbins: I read this the same way you do.
February 24th, 2024 at 11:21 am
My thing is that you know what you are getting above the shoulders. EVERY draft pick and free agent has more risk in that department. The draft pick reference is obvious, but free agents… dudes get homesick, they don’t like the new scheme, they relax after the big payday, they have skeletons in the closet that haven’t come out yet… a lot can and does go wrong in free agency