Lavonte David

Bucs LB Lavonte David Likely To Retire? Team Likely To Part Ways With OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

After the Buccaneers’ season came to an end in the wildcard round of the playoffs last week, linebacker Lavonte David expressed uncertainty about his playing future. The franchise icon also contemplated retirement last offseason before re-signing with the club on a one-year, $9MM accord, and according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, retirement seems to be the most likely outcome this time around.

David, who will turn 35 this week, was selected by the Bucs in the second round of the 2012 draft and has never played for another team. A pillar of reliability, availability, and consistency, the Nebraska product turned in the 11th 100-tackle season of his 13-year career in 2024, racking up 122 stops to go along with 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. Over the course of his career, he earned First Team All-Pro acclaim (2013) and a Pro Bowl nod (2015), and he was a key part of the club’s Super Bowl-winning run in 2020 (it is likely that he would have more individual accolades if the league didn’t group rush linebackers and non-rush ‘backers together for those purposes).

On the other hand, his abilities in coverage, which long separated him from the majority of his fellow inside linebackers, regressed in a big way last season. That was underscored by the subpar coverage grade of 56.9 that Pro Football Focus assigned to him, which was easily the lowest mark of his career.

David’s strong work against the run helped make up for his coverage deficiencies, and all things considered, PFF ranked him as the 32nd-best LB in the league out of 82 qualified players. As such, he could surely still serve as at least an early-down defender if he chooses to continue his playing career, but with nearly $100MM in career earnings and a championship ring to his name, he has nothing left to prove.

As a grown man, you’ve got other responsibilities and other priorities to take care of,” David said. “The love of football is still there, but it probably doesn’t burn like it did when I was younger.”

Per Stroud, the Bucs are likely to draft an inside linebacker in April. The team also hopes that 2023 fifth-rounder SirVocea Dennis – who sustained a season-ending injury in Week 4 – will make a full recovery and will be able to contribute in 2025.

In the same piece linked above, Stroud discusses the rest of Tampa Bay’s impending free agent class, and he notes that the team is likely to move on from former first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. That is not particularly surprising, since the Bucs declined JTS’ fifth-year option last April, and the edge defender did nothing in his platform campaign to make them regret that decision.

In 15 games (11 starts), Tryon-Shoyinka tallied career-lows in sacks (two), total tackles (24), and tackles for loss (three). As Stroud writes, the club is seeking a major upgrade to bookend with 2023 draftee YaYa Diaby, and GM Jason Licht is likely to pursue a pass rusher in free agency or the early rounds of the upcoming draft.

NFC South Notes: Panthers, David, Bucs

Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson has played just six games in the last two seasons due to a broken fibula in 2023 followed by an Achilles tear this past September.

Thompson led the Panthers in tackles each year from 2020 to 2022 but still took a pay cut to stay in Carolina after his 2023 injury. Rather than a strong comeback to earn another multiyear extension, Thompson went down for the season after just four starts. Now, the 2015 first-round pick is set to his free agency in March for the first time in his career, though he’d prefer to finish his career with the team that drafted him. ‘

“I would love to end my career here. Be one of the guys in history to play with one team,” said Thompson, per Joseph Person of the Athletic. “But it’s up to them. These two injuries … there’s nothing I can do. But it happened. Get better and come back strong.”

Thompson’s injury occurred early enough in the 2024 season that he could be ready for training camp next summer, barring any setbacks. But after two season-ending injuries, teams will likely wait for Thompson to be healthy before they make any contract offers. The 10-year veteran’s desire to stay in Carolina could motivated him to sign a team-friendly deal with the Panthers. That would allow him to stay in his current home and rehab with the team’s familiar medical and training staff.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

  • The Panthers have several other pending free agents, including cornerback Michael Jackson. Carolina traded for the 2019 fifth-rounder before the regular season, and he started all 17 games despite his lack of familiarity with their defense. Head coach Dave Canales said that Jackson is “exactly the type of guy we want to have here,” according to Person, indicating that the team is open to re-signing the former Seahawk.
  • Panthers O-lineman Brady Christensen is more likely to test the market, per ESPN’s David Newton. The former third-round pick recovered from last year’s biceps tear to start four games at center and two at left tackle this season. Christensen will likely be looking for a starting opportunity this offseason, most likely at guard or center.
  • Xavier Legette played through a wrist injury as a rookie and will likely undergo surgery in the offseason, per Person. The injury originally occurred when he was at South Carolina, though the Panthers’ first-round pick insisted that it did not impact his play this season.
  • In Tampa Bay, 34-year-old linebacker Lavonte David is unsure about his future. He has played for the Buccaneers for his entire 13-year career and is the team’s second-leading tackler behind Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks. “I got a lot to think about, man,” David said when asked about his potential retirement (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). “Go ahead, go home, get my little girl, be a dad and go from there.’’
  • One player the Bucs are set to retain in 2025 is punter Jack Browning, who signed to the team’s active roster late in the 2024 season. His deal included a one-year extension for the 2025 season for a non-guaranteed minimum salary of $960k, per The Athletic’s Greg Auman. Browning is no certainty to make the team’s 53-man roster out of training camp, but he will have a chance to compete for the punting job in Tampa Bay.

LB Lavonte David Contemplated Retirement Before Re-Signing With Buccaneers

One of many in-house moves the Buccaneers have made this offseason was another re-up with Lavonte DavidThe All-Pro linebacker inked a one-year deal in March to set himself up for a 13th season in Tampa Bay.

That pact is worth $8.5MM, marking a raise from the previous campaign. David had a strong season individually in 2023 (134 tackles, 4.5 sacks), and that continued production helped the Buccaneers reach the postseason for a fourth straight year. That ability to qualify for the playoffs was one of the reasons he elected to continue his Bucs tenure.

As Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times notes, David also gave at least some consideration to joining a new team in the offseason. The 34-year-old acknowledged the possibility of signing with a contender ahead of 2024 “crossed my mind.” Rather than starting over in a new environment or hanging up his cleats, though, he will remain in place as Tampa Bay looks to earn David’s second career Super Bowl.

“Honestly, that didn’t take long,” he added when discussing his decision to re-sign. “I definitely still love the game of football. I still want to play and I still feel like I’m playing at a high level. I still feel like I can compete with the best and obviously the organization felt the same way. It was a no-brainer for me to come back. Us being competitive also played a main part in it.”

The Buccaneers have been busy retaining players this spring. The likes of David, Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. have each signed multi-year deals to keep them in place. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs is in need of a lucrative extension of his own, but he will at least be in the fold for 2024 via his fifth-year option. That core should give Tampa Bay a strong chance of topping the NFC South again.

David said earlier in the offseason his choice would come down to either a new Bucs agreement or retirement. The fact he gave thought to joining a new team is a notable departure from that stance, although it comes as little surprise the Super Bowl LV winner did indeed consider ending his career. For at least one more year, however, David will add further to his Buccaneers accolades as the team pursues a deep postseason run.

Buccaneers To Re-Sign LB Lavonte David

A retention-based Buccaneers offseason will continue with one of the best players in team history. Lavonte David is staying in Tampa on another one-year deal.

The standout linebacker will stick around on a contract including $9MM in base value, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. This will represent a raise on David’s one-year agreement from 2023, which produced a $4.5MM payout.

This marks David’s fifth contract with the Bucs. A long-term extension in 2015 gave way to two- and one-year deals in 2021 and ’23. Despite moving toward his mid-30s, the 12-year starter has maintained his place as one of the game’s top off-ball linebackers. After the Bucs franchise-tagged Antoine Winfield Jr. and re-signed Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield, they are circling back to David — their longest-tenured player and one of the longest-serving Bucs in franchise history.

One of this era’s best off-ball ‘backers, David’s Pro Bowl count is lacking (one) due to the NFL still grouping rush linebackers and non-rush ‘backers together. David, however, is a three-time All-Pro who is the team’s second-leading tackler. Only Derrick Brooks (1,713) has more than David (1,480) among Buccaneers.

David played 15 games last season, rating as Pro Football Focus’ No. 28 overall linebacker. David’s 134 tackles were his most since 2015. On a Bucs team that saw Winfield contribute six sacks, David added 4.5 to help the cause.

Following his role on the team’s Super Bowl LV-winning effort, the stalwart defender has been central in the Bucs’ run of NFC South titles. As Devin White gradually fell out of favor despite a strong start, David has remained at the forefront at linebacker. With White likely leaving — presumably for a “prove it” pact — the Bucs will rely on David once again; the Nebraska alum is going into his age-34 season.

David did not sound especially interested in testing the market, indicating his decision was Buccaneers or retirement. The Bucs will run it back for at least one more year, allowing David to continue his run as one of the best players in team history.

Bucs GM Jason Licht On Baker Mayfield, Other FA Plans

Buccaneers GM Jason Licht recently updated reporters, including Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, on a number of free agency-related topics. One of the key takeaways from Licht’s comments is his confirmation that the Bucs will not be active players in the market, though they will of course try to retain some of their own FAs.

The team started that process when it agreed to a new contract with star wideout Mike Evans. Crossing that item off the list may help the club re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield, both because it allows Licht & Co. to focus their efforts almost entirely on Mayfield at this point and because keeping Evans in the fold makes Tampa Bay a more attractive destination for 2018’s No. 1 overall pick. That said, Licht was not exactly adamant that a deal would get done.

“I see a link between [Evans and Mayfield], because they like each other, they played well with each other,” Licht said. “But once again, it doesn’t make it automatic. I’m not taking anybody for granted here, so it’s a good start. It’s a good player to throw to. Who wouldn’t want to throw to [Evans]? But Baker is going to make the decision for him, for himself.”

Licht went on to say that he has contingency plans in case Mayfield does not return, one of which could feature Kyle Trask. The 2021 second-rounder has backed up both Tom Brady and Mayfield in Tampa but has thrown a grand total of 10 regular season passes in his three-year career.

“You always have to have — as [former Bucs head coach] Bruce [Arians] would say — to look behind Door 2 and 3 and 4 and 5,” Licht said. “So, yeah, we always feel like we need options. Yeah, we always have to have plans. We also like Door No. 2 that’s right here (meaning Trask).”

Sources from multiple teams have told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (subscription required) that they expect Mayfield and the Bucs to eventually come to terms on a three- or four-year accord. However, the fact that a deal has not yet been consummated is an indication to Fowler’s colleague, Dan Graziano, that Mayfield realizes the Bucs are not the only team interested in meeting his asking price (which is believed to be $40MM or more per year). Tampa Bay may ultimately pull the trigger, but given the amount of money ownership paid Brady — nearly $100MM over three years — and the fact that the team will need to hand LT Tristan Wirfs a top-of-the-market contract at some point, there are clear budgetary issues at play. The Falcons and Patriots loom as potential Mayfield suitors, and Graziano confirms that Atlanta would indeed be interested if Kirk Cousins chooses to remain in Minnesota.

Speaking of Wirfs, Licht implied that the three-time Pro Bowler’s contract is not a top agenda item at the moment (which makes sense, since Wirfs is under club control through 2024 by virture of the fifth-year option of his rookie deal and can be retained via the franchise tag after that). The GM did say, though, that he has had preliminary talks with Wirfs’ camp.

“For sure, we’ve already had some discussions there,” Licht said. “It’s not that Tristan is not a priority, because he’s one of our best players as well. It’s just something from a time standpoint. He’s already under contract, so we’ve had some beginning discussions with his agent.”

As for linebacker Lavonte David, who recently indicated that he would either re-sign with the Bucs or retire, Licht said, “Once again, we’ve been having good conversations. We know Lavonte wants to be a Buccaneer, and we want Lavonte to be a Buccaneer, so that’s usually a pretty good start.”

Although cornerback Carlton Davis is not eligible for free agency — his contract is up at the end of the 2024 campaign — he is due to count $20.37MM against the Bucs’ cap sheet this year. In a subscribers-only piece published by the Fowler-Graziano tandem last week, Davis was identified as a trade candidate.

Lavonte David Only Considering Re-Signing With Buccaneers Or Retiring

Last offseason, Lavonte David was interested in testing free agency before ultimately re-signing with the Buccaneers. This time around, it sounds like the veteran linebacker isn’t as eager to stretch out his free-agent process.

During an appearance on The Ronnie & TKras Show on WDAE, the impending free agent acknowledged that he’s only considering re-signing with the Buccaneers or calling it a career.

“I would want to stay a Buc for the rest of my career as long as I play,” David said (h/t Cory Woodroof of For the Win). “I do want to retire a Buc, but, y’know, it’s just got to be a mutual thing.”

After flirting with the idea of playing elsewhere last offseason, the 12-year veteran played out the 2023 campaign on a one-year, $4.5MM contract with the Buccaneers. Despite 2023 marking his age-33 season, David proceeded to have one of the most productive seasons of his career. He finished the year having compiled 134 tackles and 4.5 sacks, with Pro Football Focus rating him as the No. 28 overall linebacker.

Following his underwhelming free agency experience, David is now making it clear that it’s Tampa-or-bust heading into this offseason. The former second-round pick certainly deserves to finish his career with the Buccaneers, as it’s the only team he’s played for since entering the NFL in 2012. He ranks second in franchise history in total tackles (1,480, behind Derrick Brooks‘ 1,713), and he’s top-10 in the majority of the franchise’s other defensive categories (including first in forced fumbles).

The Buccaneers have good reason to get clarity on David’s situation as soon as possible. If the organization does not re-sign David before the start of the 2024 league year on March 13, they will be hit with a $2.67MM dead-money charge. Of course, the team’s financial hurdles aren’t nearly as troubling this year; after carrying more than $70MM in dead money this past year, the Bucs are projected to hold more than $37MM in cap space heading into the offseason.

Even with those previous monetary limitations, the Buccaneers have done an admirable job of retaining many of their top free agents. So, the front office probably won’t think twice about bringing David back for at least another season.

Buccaneers Want To Re-Sign LB Lavonte David; No Baker Mayfield Talks Yet

The Buccaneers’ interest in retaining Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. has been fairly well documented at this point, but the organization wants to retain one of its other Super Bowl starters. Lavonte David remains in the team’s plans.

Wrapping his 12th year with the Bucs, David is still playing at a high level. The veteran defender led the team with 134 tackles — his most since 2015 — and produced 4.5 sacks (his most since 2016). While Devin White‘s propensity for freelancing has undercut his athleticism, David has offered the team much more consistency. And the Bucs are placing a priority on David finishing his career in Tampa, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com notes.

While White could well be on the move after a disappointing contract year in which he saw his role decrease, David still looks to have a great chance of playing another season in Tampa. David, 33, played out a one-year, $4.5MM contract. If the Bucs do not re-sign David before the start of the 2024 league year on March 13, they will be hit with a $2.67MM dead-money charge. That is unlikely to faze a team that spent a season with a $35.1MM in Tom Brady dead money on its books.

One of this era’s best off-ball linebackers, David’s Pro Bowl count is lacking (one) due to the NFL still grouping rush linebackers and non-rush ‘backers together. David, however, is a three-time All-Pro who is the team’s second-leading tackler. Only Derrick Brooks (1,713) has more than David (1,480) among Buccaneers. David played 15 games this season, rating as Pro Football Focus’ No. 28 overall linebacker.

After carrying more than $70MM in dead money this year, the Bucs are projected to hold more than $37MM in cap space. The statuses of Evans, Winfield and Baker Mayfield will likely cut into that figure and require more work. The franchise tag figures to come out, with Winfield the cheapest of Tampa Bay’s options (the safety tenure is projected to be $17.2MM). The Bucs, however, have done quite well in retaining their top free agents in recent years. They let Shaquil Barrett, Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean test free agency before re-signing each over the past three years.

Barrett acknowledged recently he is probably on the cap-casualty radar. If the Bucs designate the veteran sack artist as a post-June 1 cut, they would save $4.9MM. Void years and a restructure have Barrett’s through-2024 deal (four years, $68MM) sitting as a rather onerous figure on Tampa Bay’s payroll. Barrett is due a $15MM roster bonus if he is on the team as of the fifth day of the 2024 league year, Laine adds. The 31-year-old veteran’s situation will be one to monitor; coming back from an Achilles tear, Barrett tallied just 4.5 sacks in 16 games.

Both Mayfield and the Bucs want to extend this partnership, but the quarterback confirmed (via The Athletic’s Mike Jones) no talks have taken place yet. Mayfield put together a strong playoff outing to lead the Bucs to a Round 1 win over the Eagles. That brought the 2023 UFA signing an additional $250K, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

March 2023, which saw three midlevel veterans sign for between $25MM and $40MM per year, can be labeled a broad price range for Mayfield. Even eclipsing the Geno Smith AAV — on a three-year, $75MM deal — would be an achievement for Mayfield, who could only command a one-year deal worth $4MM. Then again, Smith’s contract represents the floor for established QBs. Mayfield could conceivably move toward the Daniel Jones price point, with ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano mentioning $40MM as a logical place for talks to end. That would put the Bucs to the test, seeing as Brady never topped $25MM per year (though, his money was fully guaranteed).

Building a roster with Mayfield at $40MM per annum would be much more difficult, but the market the former No. 1 pick would command if he reached free agency — as a few teams will be looking for veteran options — will work against the Bucs this time around. Given his value fluctuation in recent years, Mayfield will be one of this year’s most interesting free agents.

Contract Details: David, Eluemunor, Agholor, Howard

Here are a few contract details on deals recently reached around the league:

  • Lavonte David, LB (Buccaneers): One year, $4.5MM. The deal, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports, is quite a complicated one. It has guaranteed money at $3.34MM, consisting of David’s signing bonus. The remainder of the contract value is a veteran league minimum salary of $1.17MM. The signing bonus is spread out over four void years that help dissipate his cap hit.
  • Nelson Agholor, WR (Ravens): One year, $3.25MM. The contract, according to Wilson, is fully guaranteed with a $2.09MM signing bonus adding to the veteran league minimum base salary of $1.17MM. There is $3MM of incentives based on playing time, playoffs, catches, yards, and touchdowns. The Ravens somewhat uncharacteristically gave Agholor a high enough value to qualify him as a seventh-round valued compensatory free agent signing. The move wipes out a sixth-round compensatory pick that Baltimore would’ve received in 2024 for the departure of tight end Josh Oliver. The team also continues to go outside their comfort zone by once again creating a contract with void years, something they had never done prior to this offseason. Agholor’s deal has four void years to spread his cap hit out over time.
  • Jermaine Eluemunor, T (Raiders): One year, $3MM. The new contract, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, has a guaranteed amount of $2.29MM, which includes a signing bonus of $491,000 and most of Eluemunor’s base salary. The deal includes a $142,000 workout bonus and a per game active roster bonus of $30,000 for a potential season total of $510,000.
  • O.J. Howard, TE (Raiders): One year, $1.23MM. The deal, according to Wilson, includes a guaranteed amount of $451,250, consisting of a $76,250 signing bonus and $375,000 of his base salary (worth a total of $1.08MM).

Buccaneers To Bring Back Lavonte David

Lavonte David intends to sign another Buccaneers contract. The 10-year Tampa Bay starter is coming back on a one-year deal, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson (on Twitter).

This will be David’s fourth Bucs contract. He stayed with the team in 2021, as part of the defending champions’ historic talent-retention effort, and will join Jamel Dean and Anthony Nelson in returning to the squad for the 2023 season. Despite the Bucs coming into March nearly $60MM over the cap, they have done well to retain some core defenders. They have also agreed to bring in Baker Mayfield.

David wanted to stay with the Bucs and test the market; he has now accomplished both offseason goals.The 12th-year defender will be back for $7MM, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com report (on Twitter). The deal is guaranteed.

David joined Bobby Wagner as linebacker stalwarts going into age-33 seasons. While David’s All-Pro count does not approach Wagner’s historic number, he has been one of the greatest defenders in Bucs history. David’s 166 starts are top five in franchise history, trailing only Hall of Famers Ronde Barber Brooks and Derrick Brooks and longtime left tackle Paul Gruber.

The void years included on David’s previous Bucs contract would have led to the team carrying nearly $7MM on its 2023 cap sheet even if he was on another team. Reaching this deal before the 2023 league year begins will help the Bucs, who will now have David on their cap sheet to play. Considering David’s production to this point, the Bucs will be counting on him to deliver another season for a team that still houses a number of starters from Super Bowl LV.

Tampa Bay received an 18-game season from David, who tallied 124 tackles — his most since 2015 — and three sacks. The former second-round pick has been one of this era’s best linebackers, despite lacking in Pro Bowl nods. The Pro Bowl formula has worked against David for much of his career, with 4-3 outside linebackers — David’s official position until the Bucs switched to a 3-4 look under Todd Bowles in 2019 — grouped together with 3-4 pass rushers. Pro Football Focus has rated David as a top-five off-ball ‘backer in three of the past four seasons, slotting him third overall in 2022.

While Tom Brady‘s retirement figures to lower the Bucs’ profile in 2023, they are still bringing back six starters from Super Bowl LV on defense. Their offense still carries four first-stringers from that game, with Mayfield potentially stepping into Brady’s role in piloting it. That will do the most in defining how the Bucs respond after a 2022 letdown, but David continuing his partnership with Devin White — who is likely on the verge of a top-market extension — will go a long way toward giving the Bucs’ offense a sturdy safety net.

LB Rumors: Wagner, David, Bills, Al-Shaair

The Seahawks may be interested in bringing back Bobby Wagner. John Schneider and Pete Carroll spoke with the future Hall of Fame linebacker recently, according to the GM. Schneider said (via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta) the team will keep in contact with Wagner during his free agency. The Seahawks shed Wagner’s pricey deal from their payroll last year, but with the decorated ex-Seattle defender not in position to command a lucrative long-term deal ahead of his age-33 season, a reunion would make a bit more sense. The team has also rebounded quicker than most expected post-Wagner and Russell Wilson, reaching the playoffs. Wagner is believed to be eyeing a contender, having asked for his Rams release. Pro Football Focus rated Wagner as the NFL’s top off-ball linebacker last season, which was also Wagner’s ninth straight first- or second-team All-Pro campaign.

Here is the latest from the league’s linebacker scene:

  • Wagner and Lavonte David will both be available on the market. David is not planning to re-sign with the Buccaneers ahead of free agency, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. If Tampa Bay wants its 10-year starter back, it will need to outbid others to secure such a deal. The Bucs managed to bring back David (and every other in-house free agent of consequence) in 2021, agreeing to a two-year deal. After the standout defender played out that contract, he joins Wagner in being a UFA linebacker ahead of an age-33 season. The Bucs remain in the league’s worst cap shape, so they will have a tough time bringing back David, who stands to command another short-term accord.
  • 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will have a clear connection to the Texans, with DeMeco Ryans now their head coach. The Texans also hired ex-49ers assistant Chris Kiffin as their linebackers coach. Kiffin is a big fan of Al-Shaair, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, who notes Ryans is probably quite high on the free agent-to-be as well (subscription required). The 49ers have Fred Warner locked into a top-market contract and inked Dre Greenlaw to a midlevel extension last year. They are bracing to lose Al-Shaair, who figures to generate interest from the Ryans-led team.
  • Bills GM Brandon Beane said the team has discussed a new deal with Tremaine Edmunds, the biggest fish in a deep off-ball linebacker pond this year. But Edmunds’ comments last month still point to him reaching free agency to listen to other teams’ offers. Although this is a crowded market, Edmunds should still expect to do well in his first free agency foray.
  • The FalconsLorenzo Carter two-year deal carries a base value of $9MM, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The ex-Giant will earn $5.25MM guaranteed on his second Falcons contract, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com adds (via Twitter). He will carry a $5.25MM cap hit in 2023, and Yates adds an additional $1MM will be available via incentives.