Linebacker Lavonte David re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with $9 million guaranteed, a source tells ESPN's Jenna Laine. David is returning to Tampa for a 14th season in 2025 after he had 122 tackles (76 solo), 5.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, six QB hits, an interception, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 17 regular-season starts a year ago. The 35-year-old former second-round pick (58th overall) in the 2012 NFL draft out of Nebraska has only made one Pro Bowl in his career but has been a tackling machine, recording 100-plus combined tackles in 11 of his 13 seasons. Since entering the league, he leads the NFL with 1,111 solo tackles and has started all 198 games that he's appeared in for the Bucs. David was the No. 5 fantasy linebacker in 2024 and will once again be in play as a starting linebacker in IDP formats again in 2025.
Buccaneers Giving Lavonte David More Time To Make A Decision
Sources told Josina Anderson that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers met with linebacker Lavonte David's agent on Wednesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, and "it was a positive conversation." The Buccaneers are still willing to give David plenty of time to make a decision on whether he wants to continue his career. Additionally, other NFL teams are checking on the 35-year-old veteran's potential interest in playing elsewhere. The former second-round pick by Tampa in 2012 had his 11th 100-plus-tackle year in 2024 in his 13th year in the league, also adding 5.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, six QB hits, an interception, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 17 regular-season starts in 2024. It would be a surprise if Davis announced his retirement since he's still playing at a high level despite his age.
According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, linebacker Lavonte David is considering retirement. Stroud reported that the 34-year-old linebacker will take some time to discuss his future with his family before making a decision. However, given that David played on a one-year deal during the 2024 season, retirement seems likely. During his career, David has been named to three All-Pro teams and one Pro Bowl team. He also won Super Bowl LV with Tampa Bay during the 2020 NFL Season. The former second-round selection out of Nebraska has tallied 1,601 tackles, 39 sacks, 71 deflections, 13 interceptions, and 31 forced fumbles throughout his 13-year career. This past season, David tallied 130 tackles across 18 contests.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (knee) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session. The veteran linebacker was upgraded to full after getting in a limited session to begin the week. It sounds like David tweaked his knee during the regular season finale. However, it appears to be minor with David returning to a full session on Thursday. Barring any setbacks, David should be good to go ahead of Sunday's Wild-Card game against the Washington Commanders. There should be more information on his status following Friday's practice session.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (knee) logged a limited session to kick off the week ahead of Sunday's matchup with the visiting Washington Commanders. The veteran evidently picked up a knee injury in Week 18's 27-19 win over the New Orleans Saints, though he did not miss any snaps. There's been no further report on David, suggesting he should not be in danger of missing Tampa Bay's Wild Card contest. The 34-year-old led the Bucs in total tackles with 122 in 2024, marking the twelfth time in 14 seasons that he's eclipsed 100 tackles. Additionally, the Miami native led every Tampa Bay defender in snaps (1,078) -- 20 more than the next closest athlete. While it seems that he won't be inactive on Sunday, it's worth monitoring his practice status over the next 48 hours. In the unlikely event that David cannot suit up, fellow linebacker J.J. Russell figures to see an uptick in snaps.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are keeping star linebacker Lavonte David around after agreeing to a one-year deal with him on Tuesday that is worth up to $10 million, according to sources. David's base value will be around $9 million in 2024. It's a huge win for the Buccaneers defense, as the 34-year-old former All-Pro will stick around for his 13th season with the organization in 2024. David led the club with 134 tackles (86 solo) last year, also adding 4.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, five QB hits, five passes defended and a forced fumble in 15 regular-season starts. Although he's nearing the end of his career, as long as David stays on the field, he should be in consideration for a starting lineup spot at linebacker in IDP fantasy leagues on a weekly basis. In his 12-year NFL career David has failed to reach 100-plus total tackles just twice.
Lavonte David, Devin White Out For Buccaneers Defense
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that linebackers Lavonte David (groin) and Devin White (foot), defensive back Jamel Dean (ankle, foot) and defensive tackle Mike Greene (calf) are all out for the Week 13 game against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. Those are some key pieces that will be missing from a Buccaneers defense that already hasn't been very good this year. This will be David's second straight missed game. White has been dealing with a foot injury in recent weeks but has played through it. Dean suffered an ankle injury in the Week 11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and was forced to miss last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Bucs still have a great matchup this weekend against the one-win Panthers, but not having David, White and Dean is definitely notable.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles officially ruled out linebacker Lavonte David (groin) and cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle) for the Week 12 contest versus the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Devin White (foot) is also up in the air to play this weekend, so the Bucs could be missing three key defenders against Indy. With David out, K.J. Britt and SirVocea Dennis could both see increased snaps in the middle of Tampa's defense. Zyon McCollum and Dee Delaney should see more playing time in the secondary with Dean out. David was tied for 15th in overall fantasy points at the linebacker position in IDP leagues coming into Week 12, so fantasy managers in those formats will be forced to go in another direction if they were using David in a starting spot. It's a pretty big blow to the Bucs' defense this week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (groin) won't return to Sunday's matchup with the 49ers. The Bucs are having a terrible time keeping guys on the field, with Carlton Davis III (hip) and Jamel Dean (foot/ankle) also going down with injuries. That said, David, arguably the team's top defender, will end Week 11 with seven tackles, three tackles for a loss, and a sack. Of course, the question remains if he'll be available for the Week 12 meeting against the Indianapolis Colts. However, David will likely appear on the injury report heading into that one.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David said that he re-signed with the team on an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday. David will return to Tampa for his 12th season after the Bucs originally selected him in the second round in 2012 out of Nebraska. The 33-year-old veteran has been a tackling machine in his career and was excellent in 2022 with 124 tackles (80 solo), three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, five passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 regular season starts. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, David hasn't shown many signs of slowing down and should be back on the IDP radar next year. He's had over 100 total tackles in all but two of his 11 NFL campaigns.
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