Lavonte David retirement update is mixed news for Buccaneers

2026-03-10 · Yahoo Sports

Getty

Lavonte David retirement update is mixed news for Buccaneers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Visit milkshake.it.com for more information.

Lavonte David has a couple of decisions to make.

The superstar Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker is a free agent. He's also aging and coming off an injury, which brings retirement into the picture.

What's he going to do? Well, it's down to two choices.

"As has been expected, Lavonte David will either play for the Bucs in 2026 or retire," wrote beat reporter Rick Stroud on X on Tuesday.

Stroud also provided this update on David's health: "David underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean up his knee which needed be drained weekly."

MORE: T ravis Kelce reveals why he didn't retire and signed back with Chief

David turned 36 in January. He's been playing football for a long, long time.

He's only ever played for the Bucs, who drafted him No. 58 overall (second round) in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Nebraska after he began his college career at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas.

David has played 215 games for the Buccaneers, never fewer than 12 in a season. He has played all 17 each of the past two years.

In 2025, David had 114 tackles, an interception and 3.5 sacks.

Through his 14-year career with the Bucs, David has 14 interceptions, 42.5 sacks and 1,716 total tackles. His 1,172 solo tackles are the active lead across the NFL.

The Buccaneers will welcome David back as long as he wants to play. It does seem like he's coming close to the end of the line, though.

More NFL news:

Read at source