Jason Licht And Lavonte David
February 28th, 2025
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
This week at the combine in Indianapolis, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht made it crystal clear he and the Bucs would love to have franchise icon Lavonte David back at linebacker.
But Licht also noted he and Todd Bowles must look out for the good of the franchise. They can’t just ignore linebacker with the hope that David returns.
How the Bucs plan to address linebacker, with or without David, is unclear. But both Licht and Bowles noted that inside linebacker is a focus of their research monitoring prospects in interviews and workouts.
Joe, mostly joking, has mentioned that Combine Week is also the illegal tampering period. Agents are thick as flies in downtown Indianapolis and it is very common to see them wandering the hallways of the Indiana Convention Center, the beehive of the combine, as well as the nighttime haunts and eateries that dot downtown.
So it is virtually impossible for a team executive not to cross paths with agents unless the guy never leaves his hotel room. In fact, the framework of trades and future signings are often established this week.
(For example, Licht’s greatest heist, his theft of Jason Pierre-Paul from the Giants, had its seeds planted at the 2018 combine).
Per NFL insider Josina Anderson, Licht met with David’s agent this week and Anderson learned Licht told David’s agent to take his time making a decision whether to play or retire. The Bucs’ door is always open.
… I’m told “it was a positive conversation.” My understanding is that the #Bucs are still willing to give David ample time if necessary to make a decision on still playing the game. Additionally, other teams are checking on David’s potential interest in playing elsewhere beyond Tampa Bay.
Joe would be floored if David decided to play elsewhere. Especially after Bowles told the Tampa Bay pen and mic club earlier this week that David was very happy with Bowles bringing back Mike Caldwell as inside linebackers coach.
As the clock ticks towards the draft — a long way away, still — Joe has the hunch that Jihaad Campbell just may be in the Bucs’ sharp focus.
https://twitter.com/josinaanderson/status/1895120641692438531
February 28th, 2025 at 10:33 am
Joe … ‘As the clock ticks towards the draft — a long way away, still — Joe has the hunch that Jihaad Campbell just may be in the Bucs’ sharp focus.’
I hope you’re right Joe. And even if Lavonte re-signs for 2025, Bucs still should sign a veteran, starter-capable ILB for depth and fllexibility.
February 28th, 2025 at 10:42 am
Joe and others tell me if I am off base –
I believe out of however many draft picks we have, we should go 100% defense.
How would this play out – If available, Jihaad (or other true linebacker) round 1, later, take someone like Ty Robinson out of Nebraska, and build a stone wall front 3 with Robinson, Kancey and Vea. Behind them, Jihaad, Lavonte and Yaya (Braswell continues to develop on both levels), and then go DB/fill holes with other picks. Me and everyone else is yelling edge, edge, edge but why not continue on our dominating interior and get even better behind. Edge is an expensive asset when looking at the top options vs interior DLine, and in my uneducated opinion, this could be an interesting stop gap solution.
February 28th, 2025 at 10:44 am
Zack Baun/ Nick Bolton are also interesting options should we have some extra cash lying around
February 28th, 2025 at 10:51 am
The Bucs need a couple of linebackers if LVD leaves. The Bucs need a couple of linebackers if LVD stays. So yeah, let him take his time. He’s earned it.
February 28th, 2025 at 10:52 am
Love this guy
February 28th, 2025 at 10:54 am
Jihaad Campbell would be a good fit, especially good to have a Jihaad on our side, with the overseas games. Maybe also get a DB named Junta Rhunna?
February 28th, 2025 at 10:58 am
What about a young DB named Lathan Ransom, might scare Rachaad at first but would be nice to have someone show Jamel Dean how to do his job.
February 28th, 2025 at 11:03 am
LVD isn’t worth the cash. Let him walk. Great player, ring of honor player, but his time is done.
February 28th, 2025 at 11:06 am
Yikes man, worth every penny you can give him. Me personally, I’m offering myself in exchange for another Lavonte season.
February 28th, 2025 at 11:23 am
Getting David back, drafting Campbell and trading for Landry would be a helluva way to jump start the defense.
February 28th, 2025 at 11:30 am
Go get Jamien Sherwood in free agency.
February 28th, 2025 at 11:38 am
Bucs need at least two ULB’s no matter what David decides.
I like Dennis, but he has shown fragility. You cannot build on an injury-prone player.
February 28th, 2025 at 11:38 am
ILB
February 28th, 2025 at 11:40 am
Jeff go fly a kite in a storm LVD only looked tired this year because he had to compensate for KJ Britt at no other point in his career has he looked like he wasn’t worth the cash even this year after he wasn’t picking up the slack for other people he was playing like he is still in his mid 20s. You’re crazy if you said he’s not worth the cash.
February 28th, 2025 at 11:44 am
They should draft all defense regardless of LVD status for next season. Please, for the love of god, don’t draft a punter.
February 28th, 2025 at 11:55 am
Sadly I don’t think Jihaad lasts til 19. He is too good and seems to be a great leader
February 28th, 2025 at 11:59 am
Jeff Says:
LVD isn’t worth the cash. Let him walk. Great player, ring of honor player, but his time is done.
^^^^^
Check his 2024 stats. 2024 was probably the 2nd or 3rd best season of his career.
February 28th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
I luv Daid. But I would not pay him a boatload of cash to play. His best playing days are well behind him. He’s slowed considerably as he should. Can’t believe he has not considered walking off into the sunset.
February 28th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Anyone that thinks David is done doesn’t watch football. The guy is far from washed. Still one of the best LB in the game. I do agree we need a couple of LB no matter what David decides to do.
February 28th, 2025 at 12:39 pm
Hopefully, he wants to come back. We need a proven leader. He certainly didn’t have a bad year last year.
February 28th, 2025 at 1:08 pm
40 more Total Tackles (122) and 21 more Solo Tackles (76) than the next guy,
Add in 5.5 Sacks, 9 Tackles for Loss, 3 Forced Fumbles, and an INT. Had an off year? Get him on the cheap? Right.
Comparing Salary and Production he was twice as productive and paid half as much as the Bucs new 21 million dollar safety.
Nothing I have seen tells me he is worth any less than he was paid last year.
February 28th, 2025 at 1:39 pm
Come back for 1 more year LD54!
Maybe – just maybe, you can help your beloved Buccaneers win 1 more Super Bowl before you retire.
Won’t hurt to pad your stats some more either – to help ensure HOF enshrinement which is very deserved, but might be difficult due to the lack of stupid Pro Bowls on the resume.
February 28th, 2025 at 1:49 pm
My grandson isn’t very bright sorry fellas
February 28th, 2025 at 3:02 pm
Baker Bowl.
On going for defense only. I am of the opinion is that 1st you have to assess where the talent is.
Good for the Bucs is that some of the best talent is along the defensive line in this draft. Bad for the Bucs is that after Jihaad Campbell as a long term replacement, I do not see another guy at the LB position.
I always go back to the 2019 and 2020 drafts. Bucs fans were screaming for a left tackle in the 2019 draft. The bucs had options. Many fans wanting Alabama lleft tackle, Jonah Williams. Or I heard the complaints about not picking Dalton Risner. Especially heard the complaints that we picked no tackles the whole draft.
That was the right call.
Then in 2020. We waited, it was a better tackle class with 4 potential studs. Luckily, we got the real stud. But same things, go to the archives, there were about 25 percent of the posters saying that we should have waited and picked Austin Jackson, that Miami picked at 20.
I say go for defense all draft — but do not stray too far from value — If you have a 2nd round running back still available in the 6th round — I for one will not complain. He may actually be better than Sean Tucker.
February 28th, 2025 at 3:18 pm
David had one of his best years last year, and actually looked faster than the previous year, he’s not remotely done yet. Speaking of which, Evans also looked faster – did they make some changes with strength and conditioning, or perhaps some changes with diet – or maybe I’m just off, I am just going off the eyeball test.
Anywho, the only thing that gives me the slightest amount of pause about David coming back is the Bucs giving him another lowball offer like they’ve done the last two years. On paper, last year was David’s second best year of his career, and he was playing on a $4.5m deal, when he should have been, based on performance, more around $12m. The Bucs won’t pay $12m, but they might need to be up around $8m to make him happy. Whatever it is, pay the man, he should be a HOF’er – and isn’t close to done yet physically.
February 28th, 2025 at 4:56 pm
Sign LVD for one more year. Get Greenlaw as FA on a 1-year prove it deal ad he’s coming off an injury. If he proves it, he can be the LVD replacement in 2026 and you’ll have the money when LVD retires. Draft Campbell or another ILB in the 2nd or 3rd rd. I like Barrett from Clemson.
Get Landry in a trade and pick another Edge in the 1st rd. Pick up a CB in FA and draft one in the 2nd or 3rd. Add in a S in the 4th.
Of course this is all based on re-signing Godwin and Brendeson.
February 28th, 2025 at 4:59 pm
How do we get Landry? Lots of different options, my favorite is trading Dean and 5th rd pick. Bucs assume all of Landry’s salary and Titans assume all of Dean’s salary
February 28th, 2025 at 7:34 pm
Wheres the story Joes about Emmanwori and the Bucs? He blew up that combine today… 4.38 40… 11ft broad… 43 inch vertical…. I said it was coming.
Even Derwin James praised him….Thats the kid we need right now 🙂
February 28th, 2025 at 7:36 pm
I think we make a deal with LD54…he knows hes not done here….we’re so close to another SB.
March 1st, 2025 at 12:07 am
Who is this Jeff character? You must be new, watched Lavonte for 3 years.
Tired of reading your ridiculous comments. Lavonte has a job here as long as he wants it.
Moderate this kids posts for my blood pressure please Joe.
March 1st, 2025 at 12:38 am
Don’t worry his grandpa will smack some sense into home (Jeff’s, not Lavonte’s)
Hope LVD plays one more year, would love to draft Jihaad to pair with him and then still sign another vet for depth.
SVD has skills but can’t stay healthy. Dude has missed way more games than Dean.
March 1st, 2025 at 7:24 am
The Bucs used the 5th overall pick for a MLB why wouldn’t they use the 19th pick on Campbell? He certainly fills a need regardless if we sign David. We need some young, cheap talent there. We won the SB when White was a rookie flying around, making plays, why can’t that happen again? We had a soft middle last season. Britt was the worst in coverage, and LVD has clearly lost a step. I wouldn’t count on the oft injured Dennis who after all was taken in the 5th round. Campbell would be a great fit at 19.
March 1st, 2025 at 7:53 am
Does it seem likely we can get an edge AND a ILB in the same draft to be starters in their rookie seasons? Hopefully FA season is kind to us
March 1st, 2025 at 8:36 am
Those saying LVD lost a step apparently didn’t watch the games…
March 1st, 2025 at 10:11 am
^yup
March 1st, 2025 at 11:52 am
Hold up. For the fans saying LVD is not worth the money are you serious ? Dude is still playing at an elite level. Check the stats. He’s worth every penny. There’s many only 2 or 3 games n the league playing better than him. Yall gotta lay off the wacky tabaky
March 1st, 2025 at 1:24 pm
@jeff
You’re insane.
LVD chased down Jayden Daniels on a huge 3rd down.
LVD is one of the best players in the NFL.
We need him for 2-3 more!
March 3rd, 2025 at 1:21 pm
I still would be trying to send 2025 & 2026 1st round to Cleveland for Miles Garrett. I would resign David, Godwin and Shepard, take Danny Stutsman (ILB Oklahoma) with 2nd round pick and then go secondary with my next 2 picks.