Long-Time Buccaneers Linebacker Re-Signs to the Team

Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed long-time linebacker Lavonte David to a one-year deal. It's a good thing they did, as the Bucs had a tremendous season and so did their veteran linebacker. Tampa Bay went on to win the NFC South with a 10-7 record after an up-and-down season. In the NFL Wild Card Round, the Bucs put up a great fight but fell short against an up-and-coming Washington Commanders team. Now, once a free agent again, it has been reported that David signed a one-year deal with the Bucs.

David was selected in the second round as the 58th overall pick during the 2012 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay. He’s had an incredible 13-year career with the Bucs. The long-time Buccanneers linebacker made the NFL First-Team All-Pro in 2013 and the NFL Second-Team All-Pro twice in 2016, and 2020. In 2015, the 35-year-old was selected to his first and only Pro Bowl. Surprisingly, he hasn’t been selected to more. He was a huge help to the defense during Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV win over the Kansas City Chiefs. During his illustrious career, he’s recorded over 100 combined tackles in a single season in 11 out of his 13 seasons.

The Super Bowl LV champion linebacker played all 17 games last season. David had 122 combined tackles, 76 solo and 46 assisted. He also recorded nine tackles for losses, five and a half sacks, six pass deflections, and an interception. On December 15th, in a dominating 40-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the 35-year-old linebacker finished with 12 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, plus a sack and a half. With the Bucs , David hopes to finish his career with another opportunity at a championship.