Bucs officially announce Lavonte David’s re-signing
Lavonte David agreed to terms near the beginning of free agency, but there’s no doubt now.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially confirmed that linebacker Lavonte David is re-signing with the team to play his 12th year with the Bucs on Thursday. David initially was set to test free agency, but the team was able to bring him back on a one-year deal before another team could sign him.
Here is what GM Jason Licht said about David’s return:
“Lavonte is one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of this franchise, so it is extremely gratifying that he will remain a Buccaneer. It’s rare for a player to perform at such a high level for so many years in one place. He is the prime example of an individual that you build a team around and we are ecstatic to be able to keep him in Tampa Bay.”
With the announcement, all of the Bucs’ moves (so far) are now official. David signing the deal later in free agency also permits the Bucs to take all of his cap hit this year instead of spreading out, so Tampa Bay also gets to build for the future with David’s new contract.
David was still effective in 2022 despite his age, co-leading the team in tackles with 124 and netting a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
