Whatever Happened to Bucs’ 2025 Free Agents?: Lavonte David

Lavonte David is ultimately going to retire with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The only question is when.

Although David is a free agent, the 36-year-old has already confirmed that he will either come back to the Bucs for a 15th season or retire.

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If David does come back, it would almost certainly be on a one-year deal, which would be the fourth straight time he’s done that with the Bucs.

After being drafted in 2012 (second round, 58th overall pick), David played the first three years of his rookie contract, then signed his first extension (five years, $50.25 million) in August 2015 before his deal expired.

David’s next extension came in 2021, when he signed a two-year, $25 million deal, with $20 million guaranteed. 

After playing out that deal, David signed one year deals for three seasons in a row.

Bucs Roundtable will take a look at where each of the Buccaneers' 2025 free agents stands going into this year's cycle. Our series has featured offensive lineman Charlie Heck, linebacker Haason Reddick cornerback Kindle Vildor and punter Riley Dixon.

The series will also include players who were on the Bucs before 2025 that the team decided to re-sign, such as receiver Chris Godwin and now David.

DAVID’S 2025 SEASON

David ended last season with 114 tackles, which was his lowest total since 2021. However, it was still enough to lead the entire Bucs defense by 13 stops. David also had 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception, which took place against the eventual-Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 5 at Lumen Field. 

The interception ended up being the play of the game. It took place with 58 seconds left and the score tied at 35. It set the Bucs up for a field goal, which kicker Chase McLaughlin drilled for the game winning points. 

David ended up playing in all 17 games despite having a knee that required weekly drainage and, eventually, surgery.

DAVID IN TAMPA BAY

David has put together one of the greatest careers of any Bucs player. If he plays two more seasons in Tampa, he will tied Ronde Barber for most seasons ever in Tampa with 16. In David’s first 14 seasons, he was named to three All-Pro teams, with first-team honors in 2013.

David also helped the Buccaneers to their second and most recent Super Bowl championship in the 2020 season. 

He holds the team record for forced fumbles (33), fumble recoveries (20) and tackles for loss (177). David is one of only two players since 2000 (Julius Peppers) with at least 40 sacks, 10 interceptions and 30 forced fumbles.

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