Buccaneers Icon Signs Contract Extension

13-year veteran linebacker Lavonte David signed a new contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. David, a Pro Bowler, All-Pro, and Super Bowl champion, spent the entirety of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Agree to Contract

Despite his advanced age, Lavonte David remained one of the most reliable players on the Buccaneers defense. A longtime leader, the former second-round pick started all 17 games while recording 5.5 sacks, 122 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, six quarterback hits, one interception, and a 67.9 PFF grade, the 33rd-best mark out of 83 eligible players. With David’s help, Tampa Bay made it to the playoffs but lost their Wild Card matchup to Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.

Lavonte David originally entered the league as a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Nebraska product immediately made an impact for the team. Starting in all 16 games, the linebacker finished his inaugural season with 139 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss, five quarterback hits, two sacks, and one interception. He proved this wasn’t a fluke, earning First-Team All-Pro honors in 2013 and making the Pro Bowl in 2015.

After missing the playoffs every year for his first eight seasons, David finally had a chance to compete for the playoffs when superstar quarterback Tom Brady joined the team in 2020. Starting in all 16 games, David anchored a strong Buccaneers defense as they went on a championship run. Earning Second-Team All-Pro honors, David finished the season with 117 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, three quarterback hits, and one interception. David and the Buccaneers have made the playoffs in each of the past five seasons, three times with Brady and twice with former first-overall pick Baker Mayfield.

Since signing his rookie contract, Lavonte David has started and played in 198 games. While on the field, the linebacker has recorded 39 sacks, 1,602 tackles, 169 tackles-for-loss, and 73 quarterback hits.