Lavonte David Returns!
March 7th, 2025
UPDATED: 7:43 p.m. – Season No. 14 will happen for legendary Bucs linebacker Lavonte David!
The Buccaneers announced tonight that David agreed to a new contract.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht was glowing via a team release. He should be. The team’s leading tackler will not reach free agency.
“Lavonte is not only one of the greatest Buccaneers in history, but is the embodiment of consistency, excellence, and leadership,” Licht said. “For over a decade, he has been the heart of our defense, setting the standard with his relentless work ethic and passion for the game. His impact on and off the field is immeasurable, and we are thrilled to have him back for another season.”
Joe is fired up to see 35-year-old David get after it for one more season. He’s still damn good and the Bucs need him.
Now go get an edge rusher!
What a party there will be tonight at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters. Maybe, just maybe, the Bucs will chase a proven, reasonably-priced inside linebacker to put alongside David, like pending free agent E.J. Speed.
Per ESPN, David scored a $10 million deal with $9 million guaranteed.
David’s fat bag eclipses what future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner got today to return to Washington. No surprise there. The Bucs love and appreciate David that much.
March 7th, 2025 at 7:35 pm
The Legend Continues!
March 7th, 2025 at 7:37 pm
🙌🙌 you were right Joe , Bobby Wagner signing triggered it. Go Bucs !!!! 54 Legend
March 7th, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Nice. A lot more money than everyone expected too.
March 7th, 2025 at 7:42 pm
All the more reason to go ALL IN on next season and get LVD and Mike Evans their 2d SB ring
March 7th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
1 year $10M, $9M guaranteed. Now hopefully the Bucs go out and get an Edge like Mack, Henderson, or Bosa. This looks like LVDs last year, so a LB in the draft will be a priority.
March 7th, 2025 at 7:44 pm
So happy !!!!!!
March 7th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
Fargin outstanding. This was the most important cog in Todd’s wheel. Now let the other dominos fall.
Question – is Chase Young a head case or what? He was touted as a future DPOY. What happened? A Diva White type thing?
March 7th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
PS – time to crack multiple favorite adult beverages.
March 7th, 2025 at 7:59 pm
Get him an edge, or how about a young talented MLB in the draft to help him out? Pairing David with Campbell maybe teams will stop killing us over the middle? Oh, Campbell can also rush from the edge, or thru any gap.
March 7th, 2025 at 8:03 pm
Woooo!
Happy we didn’t stay waiting for that one.
My thoughts exactly Tbbucs3. Make that cap space and load up.
March 7th, 2025 at 8:04 pm
Dre Greenlaw would be a nice addition next to him and we can get him cheaper since he’s coming off injury.
March 7th, 2025 at 8:08 pm
It’s fantastic having LoLo back for another year! No matter what happens this coming season, he’s a HOF player. PERIOD! I hope the Bucs give him a good running mate at ILD to free him up! I’m betting on LVD to blow away Bobby’s stats this year! LFG!
March 7th, 2025 at 8:11 pm
10 mil is a steal for a player of this caliber. Name me another player that only makes 10 a year and is this good. There isn’t one.
March 7th, 2025 at 8:17 pm
welcome back!
March 7th, 2025 at 8:25 pm
LFG!!!!
March 7th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
@FilthyAnimal
Yeah get somebody like Greenlaw or somebody else to put with Lavonte for a year or two & that would be good.
March 7th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
Excellent. Now bring back Godwin at 20.
March 7th, 2025 at 8:36 pm
Awesome news!
And a well deserved raise for LD54.
March 7th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
Harold Landry would be the guy I’d target in free agency first we can add inside LB in the draft like chris Paul out of Ole miss or jihad campbell
March 7th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
he is a really great player
love that he will end his career in Tampa
March 7th, 2025 at 8:53 pm
Awesome! David has been the ultimate pro, glad to see him back. For that kind of money for a 35 yr old, I can’t imagine the Bucs will allow Godwin to leave.
March 7th, 2025 at 8:56 pm
yep target another LB, Landry? and draft another if he’s there first. The middle is the most important part of any team front to back
March 7th, 2025 at 8:56 pm
or Greenlaw….. or both????
March 7th, 2025 at 8:59 pm
So awesome to see he’s coming back! It’s gonna be a sad day when he decides to hang em up.
One of the podcast’s the Joe’s said they had his email address. At some point I was hoping you could leak it so all the fans could blow him up telling him how much we all wanted to see him come back. 😂
March 7th, 2025 at 8:59 pm
If they’re smart they can load this D up this year for a long time to come barring injuries, the unknown factor.
March 7th, 2025 at 9:02 pm
Congrats to LVD-he makes money the old fashioned way-HE EARNS IT
March 7th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
Very good news indeed!
Would love to see a side to side stat comparison between LVD and his friend, Wagner.
March 7th, 2025 at 9:09 pm
It’s so nice to see a team reward and resign their most coveted captains; and to see them reciprocate. Good job!
March 7th, 2025 at 9:10 pm
Nice!
Congratulations to LVD!
This franchise is better with Lavonte on the field.
GO BUCS!
March 7th, 2025 at 9:21 pm
Love it! He’s the man! Awesome!
Thank you, Jason!
Congratulations, Lavonte!
Go Bucs!!
March 7th, 2025 at 9:25 pm
LVD is one of my all time favorites and I’m glad he’s back, but man, this is a LOT more than was expected. He was projected to make $5-6M this year. $10M for a 35 yr old off-ball LB on the decline…we certainly didn’t get a hometown discount.
March 7th, 2025 at 9:34 pm
beast
March 7th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
Mr. Tampa Bay is back! This guy has been the face of our franchise through the ups and downs and has been nothing but a HOFer. He puts respect on our team and JL put some respect on him by giving him a bigger bag than Bobby Wagner. I’m here for it!
March 7th, 2025 at 9:36 pm
King David returns!
March 7th, 2025 at 9:52 pm
Did anyone happen to read the pencil neck Nick Shook’s take on the league website? He proceeds to denigrate LVD using PFF grades (haha) not even considering for a moment that LVD had zero, zilch, nada help in the LB group and really in the back 7. This dweeb needs a medicated enema. Said LVD had his worst season. Maroon? Indeed.
March 7th, 2025 at 10:02 pm
Linebacker is tge one thing we do incredibly well.
Lavonte and Brooks, neck and neck.
Let’s get another guy with a Florida hs background and do it again
March 7th, 2025 at 10:15 pm
F%CK YEAH LETS F@<%KING GO
March 7th, 2025 at 10:19 pm
Bobby Wagner vs lavonte David stats. (Lavonte is more impressive imo)
March 7th, 2025 at 10:34 pm
Glorious news!!! The great Lavonte David is back! 🥳 good times Cmon! 🎶
March 7th, 2025 at 10:42 pm
hell yeah…the weekend is starting off right…!
LVD is back in the building…
sheesh —————————-> he never left
March 7th, 2025 at 11:00 pm
I think if Licht was going to be status quo in free agency David would have retired. I’m hoping Licht swings for the fences at least for one position
March 7th, 2025 at 11:04 pm
Now get Landry, draft Emmanwori and Revel and maybe another wr if Chris leaves….it is possible
March 7th, 2025 at 11:10 pm
Woohooo!
March 8th, 2025 at 12:57 am
Well, I am ecstatic.
March 8th, 2025 at 1:15 am
This is the best news of the past 2 months. LVD wouldn’t have signed up for another year unless he believes in his core that the Bucs can win the Super Bowl. Money wasn’t the goal (although his new salary does imply ‘respect’).
If the Bucs win the Super Bowl, LVD will be a critical factor. And that’ll guarantee him HOF entry when his time comes. LVD’s stats over his now 14-year career will speak for themselves. Actually wouldn’t be surprised to see him go for 1 additional year in 2026 IF we don’t win the SB this year.
March 8th, 2025 at 1:29 am
Lavonte for All Pro this year! Call the tailor to get him measured for that jacket. Oh…and which finger do you want this ring to go on Sir?
Go Bucs!
March 8th, 2025 at 1:37 am
Buy an edge.
Draft an ILB like Jihaad.
My fear is they go into the season with SVD and LVD and no quality depth behind them.
March 8th, 2025 at 1:54 am
Absolutely critical signing him. Welcome back LVD !
Now let’s get you one more Ring!
March 8th, 2025 at 2:00 am
Love and respect LVD! Can we put him in the ring of honor this year while we’re at it?
March 8th, 2025 at 3:42 am
LVD. DERRICK BROO
STUD FOOTBALL PLAYERS BETTER MEN. WHO THINK OF OTHERS….MEN
March 8th, 2025 at 4:34 am
Great news!
March 8th, 2025 at 7:31 am
YAY!!! 🙂
March 8th, 2025 at 7:50 am
Edge rush, Jason, Joey and Bryan. EDGE RUSH!
March 8th, 2025 at 8:15 am
Love him!
March 8th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
He deserves to retire as a Buc. Glad it’s going to happen, couldn’t happen to a better guy. What a huge impact for Team Tampa. Get the man a good edge rusher and we’ll see all y’all at the SuperBowl next February. Go Bucs!!!!!
March 8th, 2025 at 4:06 pm
Welcome back Lavonte! LFG!!
March 8th, 2025 at 9:08 pm
Great news!