Just as Mike Evans is the face of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense, free agent linebacker Lavonte David is synonymous with the defense. The 2012 second-round pick has spent his entire career with Tampa Bay, establishing himself as one of the best at his position while earning an All-Pro Selection and leading the defense to a Super Bowl victory back in 2020.
The 12-year veteran has made $86 million to date in his career and is now entering his age-34 season. Despite his advanced age, David remains one of the game’s better linebackers. Leading the defense to yet another strong season, the veteran finished the 2023 campaign with 4.5 sacks, 134 tackles, 17 tackles-for-loss, five quarterback hits, and a 71.7 PFF grade.
The Buccaneers recently re-signed Mike Evans, and while Lavonte David wants to return to the organization, the impending free agent made no guarantee that he’d be back for his 13th season.
“Obviously, I would love to finish my career at an organization that I played for for the past 12 years but anything can happen,” David said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I’m just focusing on what I can focus on and letting everything else unfold.”
Lavonte David: “Anything Can Happen,” Won’t Commit To Free Agent Return
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would love to have Lavonte David come back as a free agent, but he might have to take a discount to make that happen. Tampa Bay just spent a decent chunk of change re-signing Evans and using the franchise tag on budding superstar Antoine Winfield, and they still need to re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield. There is only so much salary cap space to go around, and the 34-year-old linebacker might be the odd man out.
Lavonte David might be one of the staples of the organization, but if any franchise should know that a legendary free agent can change teams late in their career, it’s the Buccaneers. David might not be quite as good as he was at his peak, but he’s still an all-around strong player with no glaring weaknesses in his game. Somebody will give him decent money on a short-term deal, and the five organizations make the most sense.
Possible Team Fits
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders desperately need help on every single level of their defense. The unit was one of the worst in the league by just about every measurement, and that’s not going to fly with first-year head coach Dan Quinn. David alone will not fix this team, but he can be a much-needed leader in the heart of the defense. With over $96 million in cap space, Washington has the resources to add Lavonte David as a free agent while also bringing in some much-needed pass rushers and cornerbacks.
Los Angeles Chargers
Jim Harbaugh is an old-school football coach who believes in having a strong, physical enforcer leading the defense. The present-day version of Lavonte David is not as good as the 2012 version of Patrick Willis, but David can play a similar role in the defense. The Chargers have one of the worst linebacker rooms in the league, and Lavonte David would immediately be the best off-ball linebacker on the roster if signed as a free agent.
Dallas Cowboys
Leighton Vander-Esch is calling it a career, which means the Dallas Cowboys need another linebacker. While Micah Parsons is one of the best pass rushers in the game, he’s more of an edge defender than an off-ball linebacker. Lavonte David can play in the heart of the defense if signed as a free agent, adding yet another playmaker to a loaded unit that needs to make a deep playoff run if Mike McCarthy is to keep his job.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers came one drive away from making it to the NFC Championship Game despite having one of the youngest rosters in the league. Green Bay’s foundation is set with Jordan Love, but now the team needs to add a veteran free agent like Lavonte David who knows how to win in the playoffs. Adding David into the mix would give the Packers one of the best linebacker rooms in the league and increase their odds of winning what should be a highly competitive NFC North.
New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis is one of the better linebackers in the game, but he can’t do it all by himself. After a promising rookie season, former first-round pick Pete Werner has regressed in each season since entering the league. Lavonte David isn’t going to earn a massive contract as a free agent, so the cash-strapped Saints should be able to find a way to make the money work.
Main Photo: Kim Klement Nietzel – USA Today Sports
