Tampa Bay Buccaneers are potentially facing the loss of two legends this offseason, as Mike Evans and Lavonte David are impending free agents. While Evans is not contemplating retirement, David is, and there is a possibility both icons might not be on the Buccaneers 2026 NFL roster. But David recently made a move that signals a strong hint of his desire to continue playing.
Per a recent report from Joe Bucs Fan, David actually underwent knee surgery following the 2025 season after needing it drained every week during the campaign. Joe Bucs Fan affirms that David still has not decided on his future formally, and he will need to continue to rehab the knee if he does want to play for a 15th NFL season this year.
But it feels like David getting the knee surgery so soon after the season ended and immediately rehabbing it is a big sign he wants to keep playing and that he is planning ahead on playing in the 2026 NFL season.
Lavonte David got knee surgery
And if David does plan on playing in 2026, it seems impossible to envision him playing for anyone else other than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 36 year old is one of the biggest defensive legends in the history of the Bucs incredible defenses, and he means even more to the team from a leadership perspective, remaining crucial even as he declines because of his character.
That character will be additionally important in the 2026 season as the Buccaneers transition with a new, rebuilt front seven that will hopefully be fortified significantly in the draft and free agency. Young linebackers of the future like Jacob Rodriguez and CJ Allen would benefit considerably from working with David and learning from one of the best three down linebackers of his generation,
Maybe this is all just wistful thinking, but Buccaneers fans will look at the knee surgery as a big sign of David's intent. Nothing formal and no strong rumors are pointing towards a Lavonte David decision one way or another, but as long as he still has the drive today, it is just about impossible to envision him anywhere else other than Tampa Bay. With the needs in the front seven and how the team played even with David getting 114 tackles last season, it is evne more difficult to see the Bucs defense without David than the offense without Mike Evans.