There are few players in NFL history who have reached the level of consistency that Buccaneers legend Lavonte David has. That consistency has landed him yet another appearance on the NFL Top 100 list heading into the 2025 season.
During his 13 seasons in Tampa Bay, he has missed a total of 14 games, 5 of which came in 2021. But, David’s performance in the 2021 playoffs (more on this later) solidified his status as the “heart and soul” of the Buccaneers, as Buccaneers Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix wrote in a review of his time with the team this February.
After signing another 1-year deal in March, David will return for his 14th season, all with the Buccaneers. As ESPN’s Jenna Laine pointed out in her story about David’s decision to return, the veteran has earned the distinction as a team captain for 11 consecutive seasons.
That consistency made him a no-brainer to be included on the 2025 NFL Top 100 list. Even after 13 seasons, David is still finding new ways to impact the game.
“Whatever he’s lost in speed, he’s made up for with savvy, still proving to be a takeaway machine and cohesive leader,” writes NFL.com Digital Content Producer Bobby Kownack.
David’s Continued Production Earns Him the No. 96 Spot on NFL Top 100, Despite Lack of Accolades
David has earned plenty of praise throughout his career, but his lack of accolades is somewhat shocking. He’s earned just 3 total All-Pro selections (1 First-Team, 2 Second-Team) and 1 Pro Bowl nod.
Despite his lack of accolades, David continues to produce at an elite level. Following the end of the 2024 season, Buccaneers Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix compiled all the stats and accolades David had earned during his “prolific tenure in Tampa Bay.”
To start the list, she noted that the NFL Top 100 linebacker “was the lone NFL player in 2024 with 100-plus tackles, 5.0-plus sacks and three-or-more forced fumbles.” Since 2015, David is one of only four players to have recorded those numbers during a single season. He joined Bucs teammate S Antoine Winfield Jr. (2023), Indianapolis Colts LB Shaquille Leonard (2018) and Carolina Panthers LB Thomas Davis (2015).
“Arguably, he is probably the best cover linebacker to have ever played the game,” Bucs’ Inside Linebackers Coach/Pass Game Coordinator Larry Foote told Dix. “You just mentioned the forced fumbles, then he has the most tackles for loss also for any off the ball linebackers. That alone, he can also play the run, he can play the pass, he can blitz. He can do it all on the field.”
While solo tackles have only been tracked since 1994, David has earned the distinction as one of only four players with 1,500-plus tackles, 35.0-plus sacks and 10-plus interceptions. The other three include possibly the greatest linebacker of all-time in Hall-of-Famer Ray Lewis, 4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time Second-Team All-Pro London Fletcher, and future Hall-of-Famer, 10-time Pro Bowler and 11-time All-Pro (6 First-Team, 5 Second-Team) Bobby Wagner.
Speaking of Bobby Wagner, he is the only active player ahead of David in tackles. Wagner should pass Hall-of-Famer Junior Seau for No. 3 all-time on the combined tackles list this season.
David Will Tie Team Legend Derrick Brooks for 2nd-Longest Tenured Buccaneer in 2025
At the time of Dix’s article, it was unclear whether David would return for his 14th season, but Dix made the case for the NFL Top 100 linebacker to reach Canton.
“It remains to be seen what David’s decision will be for the 2025 season, but one thing permeates with a resounding punctuation mark – David possesses the credentials for a bust in Canton,” Dix wrote.
“David has achieved both longevity and consistency throughout his career, an often coveted yet elusive feat,” Dix wrote. “His production puts him atop the leader boards, but yet David goes underrated with just an egregious single Pro Bowl appearance and one First-Team All-Pro nod,” she continued.
When Lavonte David takes the field for the Buccaneers to start his 14th season, he will tie Hall-of-Famer Derrick Brooks for the second-most in team history. As Buccaneers Senior Writer/Editor Scott Smith wrote in March, Brooks still serves as “the gold standard for Buccaneers linebackers.”
Smith notes that Hall-of-Famer Rondé Barber is the only player who spent more time in Tampa Bay (16 seasons).
David told Smith in March that the Bucs’ younger players make note of “the team’s focus on believing in and rewarding its own.”
“I think [it] is a testament from the ownership all the way down,” David told Smith. “They want their guys, they believe in their guys, and they’re going to stick with us.”
The Top 100 linebacker is not the only current Buccaneer to demonstrate their loyalty to the organization. As Smith noted, several team leaders have turned down other offers, no matter how lucrative, to stay in Tampa Bay.
“David pointed to the multiple times that players like himself, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – among others – have eschewed a shot at see what multitudes the free agent market might present them to return to their original team,” Smith wrote. “Most recently, Godwin left what all have agreed were more lucrative offers on the table in order to stay home.”
In addition to signing six contracts with the Buccaneers, David has fought through injuries to remain on the field as a vocal, demonstrative leader. That’s where we return to the 2021 season.
2021 Season Endeared David with Bucs Fans Forever
Following a Super Bowl run in 2020, the Buccaneers struggled mightily with injuries, especially on defense. Incredibly, Around The NFL’s Nick Shook noted after the loss that it was the first time all season that the 11 defensive starters from their 2020 Super Bowl squad had played together.
Despite a “significant” foot injury late in the 2021 season, David returned for the playoffs, telling reporters in April 2021 that he was “probably about 60% out there playing.”
He played 92% of the team’s snaps over their 2 playoff games. While he recorded just 2 tackles during their Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles, he returned to form in the Divisional Round.
He led the team with 11 tackles (1 for loss) and recovered the Rams‘ third fumble of the game with just under 2:30 to go, setting up the game-tying drive. Unfortunately, the Bucs’ injuries finally caught up to them, as they entered the Divisional Round with the longest injury report of any team.
First-Team All-Pro RT Tristan Wirfs missed the game after injuring his ankle during their Wild Card win over the Eagles. Antoine Winfield Jr. missed Weeks 15 and 16 due to foot/ankle injuries, but returned for the final 2 weeks and the playoffs.
Unfortunately for Winfield, NFL fans will always remember Cooper Kupp beating him up the middle for a 44-yard completion to set up the Rams’ game-winning field goal.
But, for most Bucs fans, the lasting memory of Lavonte David’s time will be his selfless dedication and commitment to the franchise. He has truly earned his spot among the NFL Top 100 players heading into 2025.
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