Lavonte David’s time in Tampa Bay may be nearing its final chapter, and if that’s the case, he’ll leave behind a legacy that’s not just respected-it’s revered.
The longtime Buccaneers linebacker, a cornerstone of the franchise since 2012, is facing an offseason full of uncertainty. At 36 years old, David has been the heart and soul of Tampa’s defense for over a decade, weathering coaching changes, roster overhauls, and the highs and lows that come with life in the NFL. But after a season where age finally started to show, the question now is whether we've seen him suit up for the last time.
Bruce Arians, the Super Bowl-winning former head coach who still serves as a senior football consultant for the Bucs, weighed in on David’s future during an appearance on the “Up and Adams” podcast. And while Arians didn’t speak in absolutes, his tone suggested the end may be near.
“I think Lavonte probably is going to retire,” Arians said. “I never count him out.
He goes back every year and sees how he’s feeling. The guy is amazing.
He just stays in great shape.”
That’s been the story of David’s career-reliability, consistency, and preparation. Even as the league evolved around him, David remained a stabilizing force.
He’s the kind of player who doesn’t just rack up tackles-he sets the tone. And it’s that leadership, both on and off the field, that’s made him such a vital part of the Bucs’ identity.
David hasn’t officially made a decision, and he’s spoken recently about what it would take for him to return. But Arians' comments carry weight.
He coached David during Tampa’s 2020 Super Bowl run and likely still has a direct line to the veteran linebacker. If anyone’s got a read on where David’s head is at, it’s Arians.
And David isn’t the only franchise pillar whose future is in question. Wide receiver Mike Evans, another longtime Buc and one of the most productive pass-catchers of his era, is also at a crossroads.
Arians doesn’t believe Evans is ready to retire, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be back in Tampa. There’s growing buzz that Evans could land with an AFC contender next season, potentially ending a 12-year run with the team that drafted him.
If both David and Evans are gone, the Bucs would be starting the 2026 season without their two longest-tenured players-players who helped define the most successful stretch in franchise history.
Should David decide to hang it up, Tampa Bay will have a sizable hole to fill in the middle of its defense. The 2026 NFL Draft could provide an answer, with Ohio State All-American Sonny Styles among the top linebacker prospects expected to be available. There’s also the free-agent route, where names like Nakobe Dean (Eagles), Devin Bush (Browns), and Devin Lloyd (Jaguars) could be in play.
But replacing Lavonte David isn’t just about finding someone who can make tackles. It’s about finding someone who can lead, who can diagnose a play before it happens, who can be the voice in the huddle when everything’s on the line. That’s a tall order.
David’s résumé speaks for itself: three-time All-Pro, including a first-team nod in 2013 and second-team honors in 2016 and 2020. That 2020 season, of course, ended with a Super Bowl victory-one of the most iconic moments in franchise history. David had six tackles in that game, while Evans hauled in a 31-yard reception, both playing alongside Tom Brady in a championship performance that cemented their place in Bucs lore.
If this is it for Lavonte David, he walks away as one of the greatest to ever wear the pewter and red. A future Hall of Famer?
No doubt. But more than that, he’s been the heartbeat of the Bucs for 14 seasons.
And if the next one doesn’t include No. 54, Tampa Bay will be missing more than just a linebacker-they’ll be missing a legend.