The Tampa Bay Buccaneers showcased a bounced back performance in the latter part of the 2023 season, and inside linebacker Lavonte David deserves credit for this. Though the team faltered in the divisional round, his ability to read plays, disrupt offenses, and serve as a defensive leader deserve a loud cheer.
David has been enjoying the reputation as a tackling machine with the Bucs young squad led by Baker Mayfield. The seasoned player is now at crossroad ahead of the new season. All he wants now is to close an end to his career as the Bucs player.
Lavonte David talks on future at Bucs
Lavonte David recently shared insights about his future with the team on the Ronnie and TKras show on 95.3 WDAE. He expressed a strong connection to the city of Tampa, where he has evolved from a young man to a seasoned professional.
“Yeah, you could say that. It’s at a point right now in my career – twelve years playing with one organization – a place where I’ve grown to be a man. Where I started as a young man and I grew up to a man in the city of Tampa. Just the love that the city of Tampa has for me and the love that I have for the city of Tampa,” he said.
The veteran hinted at the possibility of his future with the team being evaluated on a year-by-year basis. However, the mutual love between him and the Tampa Bay city is evident, making him express the desire to retire as a Buccaneer.
“…So of course, I would want to do that, I would want to stay a Buc for the rest of my career as long as I play. At the end of the day, yeah I do want to retire a Buc, but it’s just got to be a mutual thing.”
Despite his aspiration to be a lifelong Buccaneer, Lavonte David acknowledged that the decision must be mutual. He emphasized the importance of a collective agreement for the continuation of his career in Tampa.
The footballer is set to hit free agency this March. He was a free agent last year as well and the Bucs signed him to a one-year, $7 million deal with incentives. With the team currently enjoying significant cap space due to the expanded 2024 salary cap, the possibility of retaining him becomes more feasible. However, the team faces the challenge of allocating resources to several key players while balancing their financial strategy.
Lavonta David’s performance in 2023 NFL season
Lavonte David defied the expectations that come with being an inside linebacker in his 30s. At 34 years old, he showcased an exceptional performance in the 2023 NFL season that would be impressive for any player, regardless of age.
The veteran secured his third-best season in tackles for loss with an impressive tally of 17.
The LB also recorded his third-best season for sacks by totaling 4.5, and matched this excellence with a third-best season in passes defensed. He also notched his fifth-best season in tackles. Beyond statistics, his influence extended to leadership of the promising squad, solidifying his status as a cornerstone player for the Bucs.
