Bucs Have No Answer Yet From Lavonte David
February 25th, 2025
So it’s the wee hours and Joe has finished patrolling the bars, streets, eateries and hotel lobbies of Indianapolis looking for Bucs-related news as the NFL Scouting Combine prepares to kick off here this morning.
Joe did see a team owner (not a Glazer) slobbering over a media member with a naughty billionaire look in his eye, but that’s a story for the JoeBucsFan memoir due out in stores in August of 2039.
What Joe did learn, however, is that the Bucs do not currently have an answer when it comes to the return of iconic linebacker Lavonte David.
The team doesn’t know whether David wants to play in 2025.
At this time last year, David, after a postseason period of rest and reflection, already decided he wanted to return for a 13th season. The answer on his 14th season has yet to come.
There is no pouting among Bucs officials. They’ll continue to wait for David’s decision as they prepare, potentially, for life without him.
Joe hopes David delivers his decision soon, as the free agency siren goes off in 13 short days.
Last week, Joe cautioned Ira Kaufman Podcast listeners that David could delay his decision significantly and possibly put the Bucs in a difficult spot.
February 25th, 2025 at 12:44 am
LVD knows his importance to the Bucs and knows when he needs to tell them his decision. Before March 12. That’s fine – Jason has the contingency plans in place for with and without LVD.
February 25th, 2025 at 12:53 am
Before anyone asks, Joe will only say TV does NOT do her justice.
Carry on.
February 25th, 2025 at 1:11 am
I can understand Lavonte being undecided. I do not see how it would be to his advantage to delay that decision. It would indeed be a plus to Jason Licht if he were armed with that ifnfo as the combine begins.
Go Bucs!
February 25th, 2025 at 1:14 am
Tbh at this point in time imo I think it’s clear as day one more season. I’m not him and can’t make that choice but if I speak as his agent and or his fan base I do think he should go for it. The tackling records right now is a good reason to pursue it if I had to guess. He’s already so high on that list and one more year locks in the HOF score imo.
People won’t forget that guy!!!!!
February 25th, 2025 at 4:14 am
I think David makes his decision based on if the Bucs make a serious run at miles Garrett. If the Bucs do make a run at Garrett, David stays. Because David may be a little long in the tooth, but David ain’t stupid, and David wants to win one more big one. Now Joe would know a ton more on this subject than me, givin his proximity to the top dawgs, but that’s my 2 cents. If the Bucs get serious, David stays. IMO.
February 25th, 2025 at 4:26 am
Having said that, money will become a serious issue next year. The Florida real estate markets look to be rolling over bigtime now due to high mortgage rates, high flood insurance rates, high home owners rates, and huge supply getting bigger by the day. Last time this happened in 2008–9, the markets rolled hard and money became tight. Real tight as banks called in their loans prematurely. I am sure this will weigh in on any big future acquisition planning for Tampa.
February 25th, 2025 at 5:16 am
Bring back the lawn chairs … You’re most likely right about ‘real tight money’ due to our real estate conundrum here in Florida. But the Bucs were worth over $4 billion in 2023, and personnel costs are just a part of that valuation. Besides, have a gut feel that the Glazers could ‘act as their own bank’ anytime they choose to.
When within striking distance of the Super Bowl, the Glazers shown a propensity to open the wallet wide and git er done. With a few solid moves, we’re within striking distance this year and next.
February 25th, 2025 at 5:21 am
I hope LaVonte comes back.
But after 13 seasons I’d certainly understand if he decided to call it a day.
February 25th, 2025 at 6:27 am
We need the legend back for 1 more season.
February 25th, 2025 at 7:01 am
Still need to sign an ILB in free agency and draft another, regardless of if he resigns or not.
February 25th, 2025 at 7:16 am
He dropped off a little last year, I expect he’s concerned he might drop off a lot more, spend his final season as a drain on his team, mebbe on the bench. That’s no way to go out
February 25th, 2025 at 7:26 am
“Joe did see a team owner (not a Glazer) slobbering over a media member with a naughty billionaire look in his eye…” Jerry Jones??
February 25th, 2025 at 7:32 am
He’s expendable. Save your money for two edge rushers. Plenty of guys out there to easily replace LVD.
February 25th, 2025 at 7:33 am
Bucs would be fine without LVD sorry if that hurt anyone’s feelings. Get younger and faster. If a guy is pondering retirement it’s about that time
February 25th, 2025 at 8:05 am
LD has always been pretty team friendly re: contracts, so it’s hard to imagine money is an issue.
So, I speculate one of 2 scenarios:
1. It’s as BBTLC says, he’s holding out to see what kind of fa help the bucs bring in. But, I would guess Garrett is less on his mind than who they are going to put next to him at ILB. After 13 seasons, ol boy don’t wanna cover all that ground alone again.
2. The bucs do know, and the sad reality is that LD is done. My guess here is that LD (and bucs) are keeping quiet to hold money grubbing agents at bay. They don’t want to appear desperate, and they WILL be desperate if LD retires, so they can casually ho hum about their business when poking around for potential fa replacements at the combine. Imo, this feels like the more likely scenario for a gentleman like LD. It’s hard to imagine being tight lipped to pressure an organization that holds him in such high regard
February 25th, 2025 at 8:15 am
Joe, I wanna read this memoir and I’m hoping it reveals all the lost arc secrets like… wtf imploded D. White, Brady retire-unretire, why BA bailed and then turned into an absentee dad of an operational president, and reveals of all the juicy bits you’ve left on the grill over the years.
Here’s the thing though…GET ON IT, most of your loyalist won’t be around much beyond 2039 to read it
February 25th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Everyone is replaceable. LVD “easily replaceable “? Show some respect. SMH.
February 25th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Btw, what possibly could have been your issue with my post re speculation on LD’s return??!
February 25th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Joe, say hi to Mina for us!
February 25th, 2025 at 9:05 am
LVD easily replaceable by whom? KJ Britt? JJ Russell? Dennis? Give me a break.
Yes he’s getting up there in age and it’s about to be the end of the road soon if not this year, but no his intelligence, tackling and leadership skills are not easily replaced at the moment. Our defensive ends can’t even best his 5.5 sacks last year!
February 25th, 2025 at 9:07 am
The longer he waits without damaging draft and FA plans, the more he will be loved by fans.
I’d personally would like to see a Farewell Tour.
February 25th, 2025 at 10:01 am
I don’t know how difficult a spot it really puts us in; because we need to add to the ILB room even if he stays.
If he is gone then it’s a bigger priority and we need 2 starters, but I could see us adding a FA and drafting a guy regardless of what he does.
I also love Dennis lol. 2024’s healthy Dennis looked like a mad man in the short time we got to see him.
We should sign a capable starter out of FA regardless because it seems like we should have some good options there that don’t break the bank.
If we have no decision by the draft, then it does make it a little awkward I guess, where we may be more inclined to take a LB in R1-R2. But that may be the best player to take even if Lavonte stayed.
February 25th, 2025 at 10:23 am
Know your history. Last two years LVD signed late.
February 25th, 2025 at 11:33 am
Be nice draft that LB from Alabama and have LVD for one more year to learn off of.
February 25th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Man , when we drafted LVD out of Nebraska , I knew he would be a tackling machine with good instincts . He has far exceeded my expectations . As a leader on and off the field . Quiet humble guy who plays a mean game . It’s him & Brooks! Go bucs
February 25th, 2025 at 12:11 pm
bucs shouldnt be in a position where they are depending on him to return. this should have been the top one or two position targets on the poll yesterday. even if he returns there is a good chance he regresses or gets injured
February 25th, 2025 at 3:43 pm
Kelce Mom sighting?
February 25th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
David is waiting to see what the Bucs do for sure.