The Buzz Surrounding Lavonte David In 2025

Let’s put the spotlight on legendary Bucs inside linebacker Lavonte David.

With the 2024 season firmly in the rearview mirror and the pre-draft process, free agency, the draft itself, OTAs and mini-camp also behind us, it’s time to ramp up the excitement for training camp and then, of course, the Bucs’ 50th season. As we did last summer, we’ll spend the weeks leading up to training camp focusing on some storylines and narratives surrounding some of Tampa Bay’s biggest stars in 2025.

So far, we’ve worked our way through storylines for nine players on offense: quarterback Baker Mayfield, running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, wide receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan, tight end Cade Otton and offensive tackles Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke.

From there, we moved over to the defensive side of the ball. We started up front with defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, nose tackle Vita Vea and outside linebackers Yaya Diaby and Haason Reddick. Today, we continue with the man right in the middle of the Buccaneer defense, longtime captain and franchise legend Lavonte David.

What New Records Can Lavonte David Break And/Or Set In 2025?

Lavonte David is no stranger at all to making history, and the rate at which he’s been doing so in recent years shouldn’t be surprising. Yet there’s still something remarkable about it because these days, whenever you see the name “Lavonte David” it’s often followed by a stat or record that speaks not only to his longevity but to the sustained success he’s continued to have for the last 13 years.

Just look at last year, when at age 34, he was the only player in the NFL to record 100+ tackles, 5.0+ sacks and 3+ forced fumbles. He also became one of only four players in the last 10 seasons who reached all those marks in the same year. Even without the forced fumble aspect, he was one of only two players in the league last year to reach 100+ tackles and 5+ sacks.

The 2024 season was also the 11th season of David’s career in which he recorded 100+ tackles. His 11 such seasons are the third-most by any player since tackles became regularly tracked in 1994. Only Bobby Wagner (13) and London Fletcher (14) have more. David’s 19 fumble recoveries since entering the league in 2012 leads all players, and his 31 forced fumbles are the third-most among active players. He trails only Khalil Mack (32) and T.J. Watt (33).

David is also only one of four players since 1994 to record 1,500+ tackles, 35+ sacks and 10+ interceptions. He’s in elite company, too, as he’s joined by Fletcher, Wagner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.

You’re getting the point, surely. David seemingly makes NFL history or joins rare company by the week, and he’s likely to keep doing that in 2025.

There’s also, of course, the Bucs history that David continues to make week in and week out. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, plus he ranks fifth all-time in passes defensed. He ranks third in franchise history with 198 games played. His 39.0 sacks are tied for sixth-most in team history, and he’s already a firm No. 2 in team history in tackles, trailing only Derrick Brooks’ 2,198.

So, in 2025, what’s next for Lavonte David?

While Brooks’ franchise record for career tackles isn’t in any danger, David is only a half-sack away from passing David Logan (39.0) for sole possession of sixth-most by any Buccaneer ever. From there, he’d trail Shaq Barrett (45.0) by six more sacks. He needs only four passes defensed to pass Carlton Davis for fourth in franchise history in that category. And his second game of the season will see him join Derrick Brooks (224) and Ronde Barber (241) as the only players in Bucs history to reach the 200-game mark with the team.

There’s more history to come for No. 54 in Year 14, and it’ll continue to be a joy to watch for Buccaneer fans.

Is This The Final Year Of Lavonte David’s Storied Career In The NFL?

This has seemingly been a question surrounding Lavonte David for a few years now, but this is the first time the pendulum would seem to be swinging in favor of this season being the last of the legendary linebacker’s career.

David has been signing one-year contracts for a few years now, but there’s a very real chance this could be his last. He re-signed this offseason on a one-year, $10 million deal with $9 million guaranteed. He did so at the age of 35, and while you could plausibly say things might go either way as far as returning or retiring at ages 34 and 35, he turns 36 next January. That feels like it may be the first time when it’s harder to talk yourself into a Year 15 in the NFL.

With all of that being said, David has continued to play at a high level well into his 30s. While his coverage ability did fall off a cliff in a sense last year and he earned his worst PFF tackling grade of his career (47.6), the longtime Tampa Bay captain still put up a season with 122 tackles (76 solo), 5.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. His overall PFF grade of 67.9 bordered on above-average and his 77.6 run defense mark was firmly above-average.

David is still a key part of the Buccaneer defense, too, both in terms of impact and leadership. But Father Time catches up with everybody eventually, right? So, it wouldn’t be surprising if at age 35, David is playing his 14th and final season in the league.

Buccaneer fans have always appreciated the greatness of the team’s 2012 second-round pick out of Nebraska. Even when he hasn’t gotten the props he’s deserved, the Tampa Bay faithful have done everything possible to call for justice. How he still has just the one All-Pro (2013) and one Pro Bowl (2015) to his name continues to be a point of frustration for those who have watched him over the course of his 13 seasons thus far.

David’s peers know how great he’s been, though. He was recently ranked on the NFL’s top 100 players list and received glowing praise from both teammate Tristan Wirfs and even a few opponents. It’s a shame the narrative has never gotten beyond “he’s so underrated,” but the overall body of work he has put together is undeniable.

And if 2025 is one last ride for the longest-tenured Buc, Buccaneer fans need to be conscious of appreciating every last snap of his throughout the season. Great players like Lavonte David don’t come around all the time, and he deserves every last bit of credit that gets sent his way.

Can The Bucs Help Lavonte David Go Out On Top?

When Tampa Bay won Super Bowl LV, Lavonte David was one of those guys within the organization who everyone could feel happiest for. Guys like him, Mike Evans and Will Gholston had been on losing Buccaneer teams for years, teams that couldn’t even sniff the playoffs, and yet here they were celebrating a championship on their home field. That was a special time, and it gave David (as well as Evans and Gholston) a much-deserved ring. No one can take that away.

But what about another one?

The Bucs rightfully believe they have a roster that is set up to contend for a championship in 2025. There are questions that need answering, sure, but given the talent on both sides of the ball and what looks like much-improved depth, Tampa Bay can and should be right up there with the likes of Philadelphia, Detroit, Los Angeles and the other top contenders in the NFC. Getting back to the NFC Championship Game and then the Super Bowl should firmly be on the team’s list of goals this year.

Just allow yourself for a second to dream. Dream about the Bucs winning their third-ever Lombardi Trophy at Levi’s Stadium next February, and think about how well deserved it would be for so many players, coaches and members of team personnel. David would be high on that list again, and it would be the perfect sendoff after a spectacular 14-year career.

It would truly be something special for David to finish his career with a second Super Bowl ring, wouldn’t it? This is a guy whose first eight seasons in the league ended without a playoff appearance. That changed in 2020, and he’s gotten a taste of the postseason in each season since. A sixth straight playoff appearance and a fifth consecutive NFC South championship would be great in their own right considering all the losing David had to endure from 2012-2019.

But a second Super Bowl victory in a six-year stretch to end his career? Oh, come on. That would be the dream scenario for the future Bucs Ring of Honor member, and it could strengthen his Pro Football Hall of Fame case as well.

Every great player wants to go out on top, not just in terms of proving they’re still one of the best at their position but also in terms of Super Bowl glory. Not every player can do it. But it sure would mean a whole lot if the Bucs could help Lavonte David do exactly that this season.