Legendary Bucs linebacker Lavonte David simply wrapped up the Thirteenth season of his profession, and as he weighs the choice of returning for a 14th season at age 35, there are two truths about his age-34 season in 2024.
Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photograph by: USA At this time
On one hand, there have been indicators that — for the primary time — David was slowing down. He wasn’t the identical ace in protection that he has lengthy been. Professional Soccer Focus gave him a career-low 56.9 protection grade, and whereas he could not have performed the most important half within the Bucs’ struggles to cowl the center of the sector, he may not masks the protection’s deficiencies in that space.
To not point out, David additionally recorded a career-low 47.6 tackling grade, per PFF.
However whereas all of that will have been true about Lavonte David’s Thirteenth NFL season, right here’s the opposite reality: David was nonetheless a difference-maker at age 34.
Going again to PFF, David nonetheless recorded a 67.9 general grade, with a 77.6 mark in run protection and a 65.4 pass-rush grade. By these metrics, the seemingly ageless linebacker was nonetheless above common even at 34 years previous.
After which there’s this:
Lavonte David was the one participant within the NFL to succeed in 100+ tackles, 3+ compelled fumbles and 5+ sacks. His 5.5 sacks had been the second-most he’s had in a single season over his illustrious 13-year profession, second solely to the 7.0 sacks he posted in 2013.
PFF even credited David with seven sacks, with 30 whole pressures. These 30 pressures had been fourth-most amongst inside linebackers, with David trailing solely Kaden Elliss (43), Frankie Luvu (42), and Blake Cashman (31). Towards the run and getting after the quarterback, No. 54 was nonetheless getting the job achieved in 2024.
So, for as a lot as there is perhaps some concern about Lavonte David’s protection potential in a possible age-35 season in 2025, this previous season confirmed that the longer term Bucs Ring of Honor member and potential Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer can nonetheless make a distinction even in a race towards Father Time.
Lavonte David was 1-of-2 gamers in 2024 to have 100+ tackles and 5.0+ sacks.
The Thirteenth-year professional simply led the Buccaneers in tackles for the tenth time in his profession. He’s the NFL’s energetic chief in solo tackles (1,111) and fumble recoveries (19). pic.twitter.com/PHur5i1Jrs
Will Lavonte David Return For His 14th Season?
Bucs ILB Lavonte David and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels – Photograph by: USA At this time
After the Bucs’ walk-off Wild Card loss to the Commanders again in January, a dejected Lavonte David stood at his locker and instructed reporters that he hadn’t but given any thought to what his future may maintain. He additionally added that there was no timeline for a call on a possible 14th season, as he deliberate to go residence and regroup, getting his thoughts off soccer for a bit bit.
David additionally made it clear that when the time comes, he needs to exit on his personal phrases.
“Oh for sure, it’s always important to go out on my own terms,” he mentioned. “When I started playing on this level, I always said I wanted to go out on my own terms. I don’t want [anybody] to force me out. I want to put my best foot forward every time and make sure that when I do leave the game it will be stamped that I was an incredible player. That’s just how I feel.”
That was six weeks in the past, and with the NFL Scouting Mix developing this week and the league’s free company interval following quickly after, we could know David’s determination quickly sufficient.
The longtime Bucs captain turned 35 years previous on Jan. 23, and outdoors of an interview he did on ESPN throughout Tremendous Bowl week, there’s been little to go off when speculating what the longer term holds. David did publish a photograph on his Instagram story on Saturday, Feb. 22 that included himself, Christian Izien, Tykee Smith, Kaevon Merriweather and Zyon McCollum on the sector this previous season. The caption was a lone lion emoji, so once more, there’s little to go off there.
It must be clear, although, that even because the Bucs start making strikes on the inside linebacker place for 2025, Lavonte David can nonetheless make a distinction. Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo tasks a 1-year, $5.75 million deal for David, which is hardly a monetary stretch.
So, if David needs to return for a 14th NFL season, there’s no cause it shouldn’t be with Tampa Bay.
