Lavonte David Clarifies Decision Timeline (Sort Of)
March 18th, 2025
So when did Lavonte David decide he would play football in 2025?
At the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 25, all Bucs officials were saying David was being given time to make a decision on returning to NFL for his 14th season.
Yesterday, David was pressed by WDAE host Tom Krasniqi to tell fans when he actually decided he would return. David didn’t give an exact date and was fumbling for an answer, but he made it clear it was in February.
(The following is David’s verbatim response, not evidence that Joe has been pounding beers and mauling plates of sushi all afternoon.)
“Maybe towards middle of February, maybe? Maybe middle towards the end of middle February towards the end of February,” David replied.
Did the Bucs really not know of David’s plans when they were at the Combine? Your guess is as good as Joes. The whole truth on anything is not something that flows freely at the Combine from any club.
David said once he knew his (knee/ankle?)injury suffered late in the January playoff game wasn’t serious and his wellness and training team said his body still had the juice to perform at a high level, then he was ready to embrace the Bucs’ standing offer to return after a long look in the mirror.
“Confident I’ll come back even better [than last year],” David said, adding that leaving Tampa is not an option.
“It was Buccaneers or retirement … They’ve been loyal to me all these years, so I have to be loyal to them. … Loyal and transparent. I’ll always return the favor.”
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March 18th, 2025 at 1:46 pm
I love Lavonte, he’s one of the greatest Bucs (and players) ever. But, do you think you might be overdoing the Lavonte articles, Joe?
March 18th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
It’s the off-season before the draft their isn’t a lot to write about lol
March 18th, 2025 at 2:00 pm
“They’ve been loyal to me all these years, so I have to be loyal to them. … Loyal and transparent. I’ll always return the favor.”
This is why I call LaVonte the Elder Statesman of the NFL.
March 18th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
I like reading about LVD no matter how much is out there. Also, it may earn him more respect nationwide.
March 18th, 2025 at 2:02 pm
“It was Buccaneers or retirement … They’ve been loyal to me all these years, so I have to be loyal to them. … Loyal and transparent. I’ll always return the favor.”
And Jason gave him more than Bobby Wagner got. I just love this roster, with Lavonte at the top and Jason pressing all the right buttons. Except coaching of pass defense. That must change.
March 18th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Guessing this is LVD’s last season and Evans plays two more seasons. Gives us time to appreciate each. Off topic, but It would be cool if Evans (#13) had 13x1K seasons.
March 18th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
Tucker, one of the best things about this site, Joe(s) will find something to write about unlike the other so-called Bucs sites. Gotta have that daily fix! lol
March 18th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
We’ve got class acts all over the field.
March 18th, 2025 at 3:04 pm
54 did the Bucs a big favor last year – signing for $4.5M….
Jason Licht (with a tad more change jingling in his pocket for 2025) returned the favor this year…. and the one upping of Wagner’s deal struck me as intentional at the time too.
Thanks for coming back Lavonte – hopefully we will ALL be rewarded by that decision with a Super Bowl victory to send you into retirement properly…..
March 18th, 2025 at 7:19 pm
It’s impossible to write too many Lavonte articles.