“I Feel Like I Got Some Good Leverage”
March 5th, 2024
Pending free agent Lavonte David talks contract.
It’s not about the money, until it’s about the money.
Iconic Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David wants to play his 13th season in 2024, and he wants to be a Buccaneer. And he wants to get paid.
However, re-signing David may not be as simple as it seems. Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht told Joe last week that David has made enough money as a stud player for 12 seasons that the Bucs officials can’t think, ‘David doesn’t want to play anywhere else, so we’ll get him on the cheap.’
David continued his media tour yesterday on SiriusXM NFL Radio to send a similar message.
“I feel like, you know, I got some good leverage, especially coming off the season that I had,” David said. “I mean, I really don’t pay attention to that. But a lot of people throughout the organization and my agent will tell you, you know, I had a great season for a 33-year-old. So I’m pretty confident in that and I’m pretty confident in myself.”
David described contract talks as “steady” between him and the Bucs. “Right now, I’m not really worried,” David said.
As a rookie in 2012, David was a teammate of Hall of Fame Bucs cornerback Rondé Barber. David said he loved how Barber closed his career as an iconic Buccaneer and remained close to the organization. David said he’d be honored to do the same thing.
March 5th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
Seeing the Bucs franchise tagged Winfield today
(Though prob just until they work out a long term deal)
March 5th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
Sign him for whatever he made last year. Fair and easy.
March 5th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
If you’re going to sign Baker because you want to ‘compete’, well that isn’t happening if you lose both of your ALL-PRO LBs, not when that 7th rated scoring defense is the only way you made the playoffs.
Signing you future HOF LB is a must, in particular when you’re also losing White.
March 5th, 2024 at 1:36 pm
Jack Burton Mercer Says:
“Sign him for whatever he made last year. Fair and easy.”
.
.
From where I sit, David worked for 1/2 price last year. He may not want to be that team friendly again.
March 5th, 2024 at 1:37 pm
Jack Burton Mercer Says:
March 5th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
Sign him for whatever he made last year. Fair and easy.
—–
Not that easy, he took a very cheap deal last year, only $4.5m – and he’s making it pretty clear that he’s not taking that deal again.
I think the Bucs would need to pay at least $7m – but I’ve been a little high on my predictions so far this offseason so perhaps I’m off again and they get it for a little less – but David is making clear that he expects a raise.
March 5th, 2024 at 1:54 pm
Belicheat told Warren Sapp at the combine that his film made his piece hard. I was a draft junkie praying the Bucs would pick David in the first based off his similarly “inspiring” film back in the day. How he didn’t go top ten I have no clue- looking at you Devin White- softly if you know what I mean. David is the truth and my favorite Buc of all time. Even considering Mike Evan’s- who is the beast he is and we all adored as a first round pick- I love when we can agree on things. We got him back- now David needs to be similarly respected with a contract. Four years of playoffs is a treat to us long-loving Bucs fans. It used to be just all about the draft and hoping the Bears and Lions would lose in week 16 so we could sneak in to lose badly in the playoffs. I never dreamed of Evan’s and David-type players being on the team I love- let alone staying Ronde strong with the organization. My old Bucs fan mind is blown.
March 5th, 2024 at 2:03 pm
Hopein1hand – I had to go look up that story about Sapp since I had never heard it before… and that is disturbing. I know the 90s were a time when people could say stuff without getting canceled or sued for being off color, but telling a young man that he makes you…
Of course Sapp is known for slightly embellishing his stories to make them a bit more entertaining, so perhaps he didn’t use quite that language. God I hope not. I would not want to have to live with the memory of Bill coming up to me and telling me that I make him…
March 5th, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Two mill bumb from last year, with incentives?
March 5th, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Lavonte David is probably not going into the Hall of Fame even if he deserves it. He doesn’t have the post-season accolades. Pro Football Reference does a good job tracking Hall of Fame eligibility and per their metrics he hasn’t done enough. Look how hard it was for John Lynch to get into the Hall (9 pro bowls, 2 all pros) and Lavonte has only one all pro and one pro bowl nod. It’s not going to be enough even though **we** know he deserves it.
March 5th, 2024 at 2:08 pm
33 year old is one Achilles tear away from worthless. God bles him, hope they can keep him, but realistically he’s a drain on the cap waiting to happen.
March 5th, 2024 at 2:13 pm
I’d bring back both David AND Devin White for 10 mil a year before I paid Baker more than 15m/yr.
Outside of the handful of plays Baker made by breaking away from a sack and improvising, I truly believe there’s a lot of QBs would could plug in successfully. Don’t overpay a penny.
Derek Carr threw 3900 yds, 25 TD 8 INT with the banged up Saints.
Russell Wilson 3070 yds 26 TD 8 INT
Don’t forget we were a 9-8 football team. The season ended on a horribly thrown interception. If we can get 2-3- quality players for the price of 1, I’d say that’s a fair trade.
March 5th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
The constant and off topic baker hate in the comments is so weird. He just had the second best year a tampa qb has ever had. behind only the GOAT. im welcoming to all new bucs fans, the pirate ship has more than enough room, but sometimes its painfully obvious some of the commenters on this site are brady bandwagoners who stuck around.
March 5th, 2024 at 2:25 pm
2 years x 7-8 mill per year.
March 5th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
Don’t let this man go.
March 5th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
I don’t know why so many people here are freaking out about a 33 year old LaVonte David. Like relax he’s a great player and he’s been a wonderful addition to this team over the years on the field and off it. So why y’all swearing him. Like oh he’s one Achilles injury from being worthless smh? 🤦♂️
Like really that’s what y’all got to say. He’s 33 if he gets hurt he gets hurt. Who cares. It sucks sure, but that don’t mean he’s useless and not the best player available for the job. Y’all need to quit tripping. Tampa is expected to have over $100 mill in cap space next year to sign people as of right now. Of course that doesn’t take into consideration Baker Mayfield resigning , rookie draft picks , or Antoine Winfields long term contract next season. I mean still not worried we’re in great shape still. We really only need & I stress need like maybe 6-7 starters this year to get us by and maybe another 3-4 next year before we’re right on target with where we need to be long term. Championship contenders. To win a championship now it’s not really all that realistic imo. Still need another elite pass rusher to put with YaYa. Need a high quality LG and C still. Cade Otton is Cam Brate 2.0. We need a GrOnk, but that doesn’t seem to be possible. We’re okay at RB because the system we run. Could use a LVD replacement next year. Have to replace Devin white also. Ryan Neal isn’t that good imo. Our CBs are getting older need a legitimate replacement for Will Gholston. I don’t see that guy on this team. Our WR group looks fine for the next two years, but will need a true #1 soon. Lot of young guys need to step up if they want to win more championships going forward.
March 5th, 2024 at 2:59 pm
Big Red Says:
March 5th, 2024 at 2:13 pm
I’d bring back both David AND Devin White for 10 mil a year before I paid Baker more than 15m/yr.
Thanks for clarifying to everyone here that you are an idiot that knows aboslutely nothing about football. Devin fcking White, this is the dumbest take I have ever heard
March 5th, 2024 at 3:17 pm
We’ll pay the man. He deserves it. Would be an uproar in Tampa, if we didnt keep Lavonte David
March 5th, 2024 at 4:50 pm
“ThatAintRight! Says:”
Ever hear of paragraphs? 🙂
Seriously tho, would like to read your comments but cna’t focus well enough without some s p a c e
^^mtnbucman^^
Since ’76
March 5th, 2024 at 4:53 pm
He’s a dawg.
David deserves at least 7-8m, 10m with incentives.
Anything less is an insult
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 5th, 2024 at 5:39 pm
I have no doubt they will get him signed. They need him there with White leaving and a bunch of young LB’s.
Besides, he hasn’t really lost a step. He should be good for two more years.
March 5th, 2024 at 6:00 pm
I trust JL and I trust LVD even more…he’ll be here.
He’s fn Derrick Brooks Jr.!
March 5th, 2024 at 6:32 pm
I think 7mill is fair for David. He does kind of have them with their pants down with White being a disappointment.
March 5th, 2024 at 7:09 pm
Sign him for two more years he’s still got gas left in the tank.
March 6th, 2024 at 12:08 am
David says is there anything u don’t know I r soooo perfect with all the bs knowledge u have I was never more impressed with any knucklehead as much as u r knucklehead views purely worthless blah blah blah
March 6th, 2024 at 12:10 am
Conner50 I r the other worthless knucklehead blah blah blah nobody reads I r post we all know they b garbage we just c u r name post & we know exactly what sh!t u will spew
March 6th, 2024 at 12:12 am
15 mil is what a top tier CB makes not a QB the people on this site r useless morons
March 6th, 2024 at 12:15 am
Big Red Says:
March 5th, 2024 at 2:13 pm
I’d bring back both David AND Devin White for 10 mil a year before I paid Baker more than 15m/yr.
Jesus Christ, where do some of you come from? Devin White’s got something going on, idk if he peaked early or what, I was a big fan from the start but he’s become a bit lazy, for lack of a better word.
We got a top 16 QB for the cheap last year, any team would sign him for at least 18mil per yr. Are you one of the Trask guys? GTFO.