As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers begin their offseason reset, one of the franchise’s most respected voices is once again at a crossroads. Linebacker Lavonte David, fresh off his 36th birthday, is weighing whether to return for a 15th NFL season - all of which have been spent in pewter and red.
David’s future remains up in the air, but the decision, as he made clear this week, is entirely his. Appearing on The Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, the Bucs legend opened up about where his head’s at - and what factors are pulling him in each direction.
Lavonte David Holds the Cards - Again
For the third straight offseason, Lavonte David finds himself in a familiar spot: out of contract, but not out of options. The Buccaneers have made it clear they’d welcome him back, and as David put it, the ball is in his court.
“Ultimately, it’s my decision,” he said. “It’s always up to me and what I want to do.”
That kind of trust from the front office and coaching staff doesn’t come lightly. It’s a testament to David’s professionalism, production, and presence in the locker room. He’s not just a veteran - he’s a tone-setter, a bridge between eras, and a walking highlight reel of consistency.
One more tackle, and he’d pass Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks for the most in franchise history. But for David, the record isn’t the driving force.
“I’ll figure it out,” he said with a shrug. “If it’s a tie, it is what it is. If not - either way, I’m kind of happy, satisfied to be honest with you.”
That’s the thing about Lavonte David - he’s never been about the spotlight. He’s about the work. And after 14 seasons of elite play, he’s earned the right to choose his own exit ramp.
A Disappointing Finish, A Lingering Taste
If there’s one thing gnawing at David, it’s how the 2025 season ended. The Bucs started strong at 6-2, then stumbled down the stretch and missed the playoffs - a collapse that still doesn’t sit right with the veteran linebacker.
“First and foremost, [I’m] disappointed that we didn’t get the chance to make the playoffs, but it’s our fault,” David said. “We can’t blame nobody but ourselves. The last eight, nine game stretch... was disappointing, to say the least.”
That kind of honest accountability is part of what’s made David a cornerstone in Tampa Bay for over a decade. He’s not one to sugarcoat things - and he’s not looking to run from a tough finish. If anything, it might be the fuel that brings him back.
After the season, he had his usual sit-down with general manager Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles, and linebackers coach Mike Caldwell. No pressure.
Just conversations. The door’s open - as it always is - and David is taking his time before walking through it.
“So far, I’ve just been chilling,” he said. “I’m back home, I took my little girl to school today.
I’m having fun with that and adulting a little bit. Running some errands, doing different things around the house.”
He’s watching the playoffs. He’s planning a Super Bowl party. He’s living life - and letting the decision come to him.
The Bowles Factor: Loyalty Runs Deep
If there’s one non-negotiable in David’s mind, it’s this: no Todd Bowles, no Lavonte David.
“If Bowles wasn’t coming back, there was no shot to be honest with you,” David said. “That’s a fact.”
That’s not lip service. That’s seven years of trust, built through film rooms, game plans, and sideline conversations. David has grown into Bowles’ defense, and Bowles has grown to rely on David as its heartbeat.
“I’ve gotten extremely comfortable with him, comfortable with his defense, and our relationship is… something I’ve always wanted,” David said. “Him as a man and as a person, everybody in the locker room loves him.”
While Bowles continues to face scrutiny from fans and media, David sees the full picture - the leader behind the scenes, the teacher in the meeting room, the steady hand through ups and downs.
“The media and the fans give him a hard time because you don’t see any character out of him, but we do,” David said. “That’s why we love him.”
“Bucs or Nowhere”
In an era where player movement is the norm, Lavonte David is an outlier - and proud of it.
“It’s Bucs or nowhere else,” he said. “I played my 14-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they’ve been real, they’ve been loyal to me.
Me being somewhere else probably wouldn’t feel right. I’m a Buc, man.”
That kind of loyalty is rare. And it cuts both ways.
The Bucs have stood by David through coaching changes, roster turnover, and the natural wear and tear of an NFL career. He’s rewarded them with elite play, year after year, and a presence that’s impossible to replace.
At this point, David doesn’t need to come back. He’s already cemented his legacy - a Super Bowl champion, a Pro Bowl staple, and one of the best linebackers of his generation.
But if he does return, it won’t be for stats or accolades. It’ll be for love of the game, love of the team, and love of the man leading it.
So, will we see No. 54 back in Tampa next season? The answer’s still TBD. But one thing’s clear: if Lavonte David runs it back for Year 15, it’ll be on his terms - and with the Bucs, where he’s always belonged.