Lavonte David is thrilled with Jordan Whitehead’s return to Bucs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David heartily welcomes the return of no-longer-former teammate Jordan Whitehead

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed all of their big free agents this offseason, but they also brought back another familiar face who spent the past two seasons elsewhere.

Safety Jordan Whitehead signed a two-year deal with the Bucs after playing for the New York Jets over the past two campaigns, returning to the team that drafted him in the fourth round out of Pitt back in 2018.

Now that Whitehead is back in the defense that he helped win a Super Bowl back in 2020, his no-longer-former teammates are thrilled, including linebacker Lavonte David.

“Man, that might be the biggest one back,” David said earlier this week. “Whitehead was a guy who, obviously, I built a personal relationship with. Just having him behind me on the field gave me a whole bunch of confidence, knowing that I could count on Whitehead to do his job. For whatever happened, he didn’t have a chance to come back, but still he was communicating with us about how much he missed us and stuff like that … He wanted to come back here – that was his first priority, so I’m glad [they] were able to get that done.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

David said Whitehead’s value to the team goes far beyond the field, too.

“Whitehead, he is a special guy, not only on the football field, but as a person,” David said. “For me, I’m all about energy and seeing the good in people and stuff like that. I’ve kind of got a sixth sense for that and Whitehead is one of those guys that is a joy to be around as a man and as a teammate. He just brings that type of passion to the game that you love. When you are playing with a guy like Whitehead, you can just look him in the eyes and know that he is ready to play, so you don’t even need to worry about him. Off the field, the way he carries himself and goes about things – he’s a pro’s pro and [those are] the [type] of guys we’ve got to have in this locker room.”

Tampa Bay had a huge need at the other safety spot opposite All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr., and Whitehead is the perfect fit, just as he was the last time he wore a Bucs uniform.

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WATCH: Bucs LB Lavonte David talks new contract, staying in Tampa Bay

Hear what Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David had to say about returning for a 13th NFL season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are keeping one of their most important players around for at least one more season, re-signing linebacker Lavonte David to another one-year deal earlier this week.

David has already established himself as one of the NFL’s best linebackers over his 12 seasons in the league, and has maintained a high standard of play even at 33 years old.

Watch the video above to see his press conference from earlier this week, where he discusses his return to the Bucs for yet another year.

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Lavonte David’s message to Bucs fans heading into his 13th season

See what Lavonte David had to say to Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans after signing his new one-year contract

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been able to rely on linebacker Lavonte David being the heart and soul of their defense for the last 12 seasons, and he’s not done just yet.

David re-signed with the Bucs on another one-year deal this offseason, making it official Friday with a press conference alongside general manager Jason Licht.

A second-round pick out of Nebraska in 2012, David has been one of the NFL’s best linebackers for his entire career, still playing at an elite level last season at 33 years old.

After the presser, David took a few moments to send a message directly to Bucs fans as he prepares for the 13th season of what should eventually prove to be a Hall of Fame career:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/V_i4YFEPXh4

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WATCH: Every forced fumble (so far) from Lavonte David’s career

Check out all of the forced fumbles from Lavonte David’s career so far with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made it official Friday, re-signing linebacker Lavonte David to a new one-year deal.

One of the best linebackers in the NFL for more than a decade, David continues to set the standard across the league at his position, and has long been known for his ability to make splash plays in just about every way.

David has been particularly adept at forcing fumbles, currently ranking third among all active NFL players with 28, and trailing only Chandler Jones and Khalil Mack. David is the only player in the top 10 on that active list who isn’t a pass rusher.

How does he do it?

Here’s every single one of them, so see for yourself:

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How Devin White’s departure impacts Lavonte David, Bucs defense

One inside linebacker is back for the Bucs, but how will the loss of another one impact their defense in 2024?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will welcome back one of their starting inside linebackers for the 2024 season after re-signing Lavonte David to another one-year deal, but his longtime running mate won’t be there this time around.

Devin White signed a one-year deal of his own with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency after five seasons with the Bucs.

The No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, White had flashes of brilliance during his tenure in Tampa Bay, but struggled with injuries and inconsistency last season, eventually being replaced in the starting lineup by K.J. Britt.

So, how does White’s departure impact David and the Tampa Bay defense moving forward?

“We haven’t gotten into any X’s and O’s or whatever, but knowing Coach (Todd) Bowles, nothing is going to change – you plug and play, man, you plug and play [laughs],” David said Friday about any potential changes to his role within the scheme. “It’s the next guy up, the next-guy-up mentality. You do the job right and you’re going to be in there.”

(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) ORG XMIT: FLCO105

White made some of his best plays when blitzing the quarterback, and while David admits he’d love to do more of that himself, he trusts Bowles to put him in the right position to succeed.

“I would love that but it’s [not] up to me,” David said. “Whatever we do right, we stick with it. That’s one thing I do respect about Coach Bowles and that I really like – he finds what is working for guys to make things comfortable for guys, and whatever is working and makes you comfortable, he’s going to do it. Since the first day, he has said he has an open-door policy and if you have a problem with it or whatever it may be, you come and talk to him. It’s been like that ever since. That’s why he’s a respected guy across the locker room – a lot of guys love to play for him.”

As far as his personal relationship with White, David made it clear that nothing about their close bond will change.

“Just dealing with everything all year, I speak to him day-to-day,” David said. “I spoke to him through the whole process and was trying to give him encouragement and keep his head up high. When you get another opportunity, take advantage of it. I told him our relationship would never end. The bond we built when we were here together – playing with a guy like that kind of made my job easier, as well. He’s definitely going to be missed, but Devin, beyond football, he’s like my little brother. I tell you this all the time. He’s aggravating me, still sending me videos of horses, I don’t know why. I’m wishing him the best and I hope he gets what he’s due.”

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Why Lavonte David keeps re-signing with the Bucs

Year after year, one of the best linebackers in the NFL just keeps returning to the only team he’s ever known in the pros

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take the field for the first time this season, a familiar face will be leading the charge for the defense.

Linebacker Lavonte David is back for a 13th NFL season, all with the Bucs, after signing another one-year deal Friday to remain in Tampa Bay.

Even at 33 years old last year, David proved he’s still one of the best players in the entire league at his position, which meant he would have had plenty of suitors in free agency.

So, why does he keep coming back to the only NFL team he’s ever known?

“I think it’s just my personal drive and my personal competitiveness – knowing that one day, everything would be how it is right now – being able to win three division championships and a Super Bowl,” David said Friday. “I just knew that one day, that would happen. We [were] able to get the right people in the building and we [were] able to do that. For me, personally, I felt like I was giving up if I’d do something like [go somewhere else]. For an organization to draft me and be able to have that faith in me, give me a contract after three years, it just goes to show how they feel about me. It was only right that I ride it out to see how far this thing is going to go. It’s been a blessing and I’m thankful. We got a Super Bowl and I love it, so I’m definitely grateful for that.”

After some lean years earlier in his career, the Bucs won a Super Bowl in 2020, and are currently riding a streak of four straight playoff appearances and three consecutive NFC South titles.

Now, David will once again be leading the Bucs out of the tunnel in 2024, looking for another postseason berth and more banners to hang at One Buc Place.

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Back for another year, Lavonte David sets the standard for the Bucs

Heading into his 13th NFL season, all with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, linebacker Lavonte David still sets a high bar

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded back into the bottom of the second round in the 2012 NFL draft for an undersized linebacker out of Nebraska, they probably didn’t know they were getting one of the most legendary players in franchise history.

That’s exactly what Lavonte David has become, though.

And after 12 seasons with the Bucs, he’s still not done yet.

David officially signed his new one-year deal with the Bucs on Friday, meaning No. 54 will be wrecking opposing offenses in a Tampa Bay jersey for a 13th year.

“He is the epitome of it,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht said Friday when asked about David being the example of what the team looks for every year in the draft. “He is the poster child, literally, for us. We have a silhouette of a Bucs player in our draft room that says, ‘I am that man,’ and this is the person that we want in a player – the traits that we just said – and it doesn’t show his face, but it is Lavonte. He is the one that we look for every year. He is the standard.”

After holding the locker room together through some lean seasons earlier in his career (alongside fellow longtime leader Mike Evans), David has finally tasted sustained team success in recent years. The Bucs have made the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, winning a Super Bowl and taking home the NFC South crown three years in a row.

Last year, at 33 years old, David was still one of the best players in the NFL at his position, continuing to set a high bar for both himself and his teammates.

It doesn’t look like that’s gonna change anytime soon.

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Mike Evans and Lavonte David, ageless wonders

Mike Evans and Lavonte David continue to set a high bar for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and remain among the league’s best into their 30s

From 2014 through 2019, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t make a single playoff appearance, and only had one season with a winning record.

Along the way, two players still set the standard for playing at a high level, and providing the leadership to maintain a positive locker room culture that would eventually help them make four straight playoff appearances, and even win a Super Bowl.

Linebacker Lavonte David and wide receiver Mike Evans are both Hall of Fame-caliber players who weathered plenty of lean seasons in Tampa Bay earlier in their careers, but have reaped the benefits over the last four seasons.

Even into their 30s, both David and Evans were dominant last season, putting up some of the best numbers of their respective legendary careers.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht thinks there must be something in the water:

Whatever it is, Bucs fans will keep enjoying the results, as they watch two of the best players in franchise history finish their incredible run where it all started over a decade ago.

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Mike Evans stresses the importance of Bucs re-signing Lavonte David

The Bucs’ star receiver wants to make sure his fellow longtime captain joins him in playing their entire careers in Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have already locked up one longtime captain and veteran leader in Mike Evans, re-signing the future Hall of Fame wide receiver to a new two-year contract extension Friday.

Now that he’s officially back in the fold, Evans is wasting little time campaigning for another Bucs lifer to stick around.

Bucs linebacker Lavonte David is set to hit free agency next week barring a new contract with the team, and Evans wants to ensure he returns, as well.

Appearing on Tampa’s WDAE sports radio station, Evans made it clear that bringing back David should be a top priority for the Bucs:

Despite being 33 years old last season, David proved he’s still one of the best linebackers in the entire NFL, putting up impressive numbers and once again being the most consistent and reliable player on Tampa Bay’s entire defense.

If David wants to continue his NFL career, he’d likely have no shortage of suitors in free agency.

The Bucs would be wise, as they did with Evans this week, to make sure David never wears another team’s uniform.

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2024 Bucs offseason preview: Inside linebacker

Breaking down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ situation at inside linebacker heading into the 2024 offseason

As with several other positions on the roster, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ inside linebacker group is entering a transitional period this offseason. Moreso likely than any other unit on the team, the inside linebackers in Tampa Bay could look completely different in 2024 from last season.

Since 2019, the presumed starters have been veteran Lavonte David and 2019 fifth-overall pick Devin White. Together, they formed a potent duo at the center of Tampa Bay’s defense, helping lead the team to their Super Bowl LV victory.

However, over the last few seasons, the shine has come off White. While he has been consistent as a blitzer, his tackling, coverage and run fits have been more down than up. Since the Bucs drafted him, White has missed 12.8% of his tackles and allowed a passer rating of 104.6 according to Pro Football Focus.

White’s inconsistency is likely why the Bucs opted to let him play on his fifth-year option in 2023 rather than sign him to a multi-year, ten-digit contract extension. After an aborted demand for a trade, White had about as bad a season as a player could have in a contract year.

Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

A foot injury hobbled him early and made him look slower than any point in his career. He was replaced for three games late in the season by 2021 fifth-round pick K.J. Britt. Though he is not nearly the athlete White is, Britt was the better linebacker, helping lock down the rushing attacks of Atlanta and Green Bay.

Britt’s emergence and White’s contract demands made the former top-five pick expendable. With the recent re-signing of Mike Evans and expected extensions of Baker Mayfield and Antoine Winfield Jr., White appears to be the odd man out in Tampa Bay.

Lavonte David may also have played his last snaps in Tampa Bay, though they would also likely be his last snaps as an NFL player. He has made no secret of his desire to “retire a Buc,” and at 34 years old, his options in free agency will be limited.

The Bucs could very well bring David back. Though he is not quite as fast as he used to be, David is still one of the best linebackers in the NFL, finishing with the 10th-most tackles for a loss (17) among all defenders. He also recorded the second most defensive snaps in Tampa Bay, attesting to his durability in spite of his age.

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Signing David to another one-year deal under $10 million would be a safe and easy move for the Bucs to make. David has been the bedrock of Tampa Bay’s defense for over a decade and as long as he has the desire and health to continue playing, the Bucs are likely to oblige.

In any case, the Bucs have at least one starting job to fill at inside linebacker and plenty of options to consider. The most likely is the Bucs staying in-house and fully promoting K.J. Britt to the starting lineup. Britt is not the splashy playmaker Devin White could be, but he is far more reliable down to down in addition to being a leader on special teams.

Tampa Bay also has linebackers SirVocea Dennis and J.J. Russell waiting in the wings. Dennis excels in coverage though his tackling certainly needs work after missing 30.8% of his attempts in 2023 per PFF. Russell saw limited playtime last year, but he was PFF’s highest rated linebacker in the preseason and could shine in a larger role.

If David were to depart, the Bucs would face greater pressure to add outside talent to the linebacking corps. The current paradigm in the NFL has devalued rookie linebackers, who tend to struggle adapting to the sophistication and speed of NFL offenses. A free agent addition should be Tampa Bay’s initial move.

Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina LB Frankie Luvu should be near the top the Bucs’ free agent list. He excels as a pass rusher, recording 12.5 sacks and 43 total pressures over the past two seasons. Kansas City LB Drue Tranquill would also be a solid addition after he resuscitated his NFL career in 2023.

If the Bucs do look to address the long-term prospects of the decision in the draft, they will likely wait until the middle rounds to take a prospect. Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has the obvious pedigree to be an NFL linebacker, though like most of his contemporaries he is undersized.

A sleeper linebacker pick for the Bucs is Washington LB Edefuan Ulofoshio. Although he too is undersized at 6’1″ and 236 pounds, Ulofoshio was excellent in coverage, allowing an opposing passer rating of 60.5 in the pass-happy Pac-12 last season.

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