What’s Currently Going Through Lavonte David’s Mind?
January 30th, 2026
What is he thinking?
“Chillin'” and “adulting.”
That is what Bucs icon linebacker Lavonte David told Kay Adams of “Up and Adams” what he’s up to as he weighs the pros and cons of returning to the Bucs this fall.
David said after meeting with Bucs coach Todd Bowles and Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht following the season, David was told the Bucs have a spot on the roster for him in 2026, should he choose to return.
David, 36, isn’t sure if he wants to play or retire. And he will either play for the Bucs or call it a career. David is not interested in playing for another team.
Explaining this to Adams, she wanted to know what is going through David’s head as he winds down from the 2025 season and approaches the T-intersection of his adult life.
It was clear the way the Bucs’ 2025 season played out after the bye has depressed David.
“First and foremost, disappointed,” David said. “You know that we didn’t get a chance to make the playoffs. But it’s our fault. It’s our fault. Nobody but ourselves.
“The way the year ended, the last eight, nine games [following the first] eight-game stretch that we had after starting 6-2 — was kind of like, disappointing, to say the least.”
David said he’s just “chillin'” around his house, enjoying bringing his daughter to and from school and “adulting” at home.
David added that last year at this time, he believes he was more motivated to return to the Bucs than he is now. David said last year he was genuinely peeved at losing a close game at home in the playoffs to Washington.
This January? David said he’s more disappointed than angry. That anger last year drove him to return.
January 30th, 2026 at 7:18 am
So a 36 year old washed up has a spot on the team if he wishes ……. How about getting some players to compete for every spot on the team ? This mentality of mediocrity is why we have season killing slumps every year ! Bowles gifted the HC job with no HC search has given us .500 ball and misery the last four years . Fire Todd Bowles ! Team Glazer is only putting off the inevitable!
January 30th, 2026 at 7:29 am
As a Bucs fan and LD fan. I hope he retires. It was rough watching him last year trying to run and keep up with the pace of the game. Missing tackles and getting pancaked game after game is not how he should be remembered. If he still wants to be around 1Buc. Let him coach.
January 30th, 2026 at 7:34 am
What’s going through his mind? Probably I DON’T WANNA PLAY IN THAT SCHEME ANYMORE.
January 30th, 2026 at 7:41 am
He’d make a good backup linebacker or play on first downs this coming season until the new guys are ready. Also a great presence in the LB room but not for huge money.
January 30th, 2026 at 7:43 am
I think unfortunately Dallas might take Styles though it’s a little early to draft a non-pass rushing lb. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.
January 30th, 2026 at 7:47 am
Lavonne telling the truth. Nothing changing. Why come back
January 30th, 2026 at 7:49 am
Just once is like to see Jason get some balls and trade up for a better player. Im so sick of him trying to outsmart everyone. Dudes the most predictable gm he will go fall in love at the senior bowl despite there being guys out there who all season have better tape and production. And then drafts the complete opposite of who we need. Itll be another interior guard or lb weber never heard of despure there being someone whos been a monster for a big time school. Its at this point just insanity. Trade up and get styles bain messidor idc. Bailey any of these guys that are going to be studs. Preferably bain.
January 30th, 2026 at 8:17 am
One more time, Lavonte, you got another great season in you. Let the knee heal and let’s come back and go out on a banger.
January 30th, 2026 at 8:22 am
I suspect they’re hoping he retires also, but would never push him out the door. Hated the way it ended for Brooks, Lynch and Sapp
January 30th, 2026 at 8:48 am
If anyone remembers Derrick Brooks’ last season, it was one season too many. He could barely run half the time from wear and tear. 2025 should be David’s last season. Father time doesn’t go backwards! He couldn’t cover last year and missed more tackles than any time in his career. Thank you for all your years in Tampa, but time to let it go.
January 30th, 2026 at 8:52 am
Can he weasel another few million out of the Bucs? He is too old.
January 30th, 2026 at 9:01 am
Love Lavonte. Just because he’s close to Bowles doesn’t give him a free pass. Do the honorable thing Lavonte and retire. Better yet, bring him back as a coach.
January 30th, 2026 at 9:13 am
I kinda think he might return for 1 more year. I just hope him and Evans don’t retire at the same time. Going to be hard for both to be first time ballot hall of famers if they are both eligible in the same year.
January 30th, 2026 at 9:30 am
He said before ’25 he wanted the money to build/start a church
January 30th, 2026 at 9:52 am
^^^ that picture of him is funny…
he sorta looks like a young kid there, looking at a dump truck, and realizing it looks good…haha 🙂
January 30th, 2026 at 9:52 am
Bucs need to tell LVD thanks for the memories like they did with Brooks. Need a young LB or 2. Move on. Same with Evans. They can get another defensive free agent with the kind of mo ey he will seek.
January 30th, 2026 at 10:21 am
I have an authentic digital and orange David jersey. But if it meant he’d retire and we got rid of Bowles id take that deal all day every day. Bowles is horrific and HIS defense that Lavonte loves is why we suck. When was the last time we felt confident on a 4th and 28, 4th and 20, 4thand 15. Enough said.
January 30th, 2026 at 10:37 am
LVD deserves to go out on his own terms!!
GO BUCS!!!
January 30th, 2026 at 10:42 am
I agree with post comments that LVD “lost a step” this year. Part of me wonders how much that was due to his knee (weekly fluid drainings) vs. actually losing a step.
But he definitely needs to fix that knee before deciding if he can or wants to play.
Just my 2 thoughts…
January 30th, 2026 at 10:43 am
LVD is not effective for a 17 game season. Love the guy, but it’s not about his terms. It’s about what’s best for the team to win, and unfortunately, father time showed up this season. Time to make LB a priority because Dennis is good, but he still struggles too much in coverage.
January 30th, 2026 at 11:04 am
Too old, he has lost more than a step or two especially later in the season. He needs to retire. Too bad the Bucs have no one to replace him…. SVD is a total joke.
January 30th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
he’s got old man knees now. retire while you still have some legs in your legs. everyone loves lavonte david including me. enjoy chasing after your kid at the park.
January 30th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Depends on the money……surely he is experienced depth….but does he really want to be that?
January 30th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
Styles if there…if not, that big Guard Loane
January 30th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
He will skip training camp and come back during the season
January 30th, 2026 at 2:30 pm
Reliable is a stretch he made a play here and there for sure but he missed a lot need to upgrade for sure love David but got to be real want a much better defense.
January 30th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
Lavonte has had an amazing career and was paid $10 million for 2025 with $9 guaranteed. I think he still has leadership and skill but age has done a number on his body. If he came back for $5 million at most and have him train his replacement then ok. Honestly think he could be more useful as a coach at this point. Hope he gets into the hall of fame.
January 30th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Big Plays are gigantic. Gigantic in defensive football. Gigantic! If all 11 guys “did their jobs” you’d win every game. Yea, Lavonte is past his prime. We notice him being blocked longer and being slower and weaker in coverage. But his experience puts him in position to make plays too. I notice the big plays that win games and seal wins. We’ve got to get some young linebackers to help Dennis out but I think Lavonte has one more year left in him. He might make a play that wins us our biggest game.
January 30th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
We all luv Lavonte. But he has got to know its time. He has lost a couple of steps.And looks kinda slow. Don’t come back David..Please..unless you want to slow your Defense down even further. His Buddy Bowles should tell him to retire.
January 30th, 2026 at 3:53 pm
My guess is he is coming back…..Sadly, he is not what he use to be, and I would hate him to get even worse
January 30th, 2026 at 4:35 pm
The ship is sunk if we rely on LD and SVD. Most importantly is beefing up the DLine.
I am that man should be replaced with build from front to back.
We need Suhs, no McCoys.
January 30th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Purely depends on his health if he comes back.
While David still made a bunch of plays last year, like when he single-handedly beat the Seahawks with that INT – he also was clearly hurting and looked a step slow compared to his normal self. As he revealed he was getting his knee drained weekly, like 50ccs – which is a lot. I don’t know if there’s a way that improves with just rest, or if he has to have his knee scoped, but if it’s something that can be addressed, that alone probably gets him a half-step back – and that would make David at worst a pro-bowl level LB again.
With that said, the Bucs have to act like David isn’t coming back, and pile up the LB depth – then if David can return, then that’s a giant bonus.
Retards bad mouthing David was your typical low-IQ idiots who have no idea what they’re watching. The same morons that think Winfield had a bad year because they don’t understand how Todd’s awful zone works and the role he’s playing. David was slower last year, still productive, still easily the best LB on the team – but no, he wasn’t playing at his normal 1st ballot HOF level, but that doesn’t mean he’s awful and needs to be sent to the glue factory.
January 30th, 2026 at 5:19 pm
I think the signs are telling him it’s time.
There was an interview David did just prior to the season starting last season that struck me as odd for a football junkie & a guy who takes this game very seriously like David….
The interview/PC was done just after the final 53 man roster was established and with less than a week to go until OPENING DAY and a heated Wk 1 divisional rivalry game against Atlanta. He had mentioned ILB John Bullock (or John Bully as he called him in interview) and was asked shortly after if he was ready for the season or something to that effect.
He said he was good physically, but that “mentally, honestly….not quite there yet”
It just stuck me as odd with a week to go until opening day and a big divisional game ant the forefront. And that was a year ago. It just seems like it’s time if looking at it objectively.