The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have questions to answer this offseason and a common one that fans have gotten used to is what the future of Lavonte David will be. The veteran linebacker has spent all 14 seasons of his pro career in Tampa with the Bucs and, to the surprise of no one, if he does decide to return for a 15th NFL season, it'll only be for the team that drafted him over a decade ago.
According to Ron Butler, David's agent, the long-time Bucs linebacker will either be retiring or returning to Tampa this year. He is not listening to outside offers.
Lavonte David reveals his only two options this offseason
Bucs fans aren't surprised to hear this news given the fact that David has always been pretty clear where he stands. He wants to be a Buc for life and it'd be downright weird seeing him in a uniform that isn't Tampa Bay's.
The fact of the matter, however, is that David is 36 years old so retirement could be a realistic option for him this offseason. He's played 14 NFL seasons and been highly productive in most of them, but, naturally, his numbers have started to dip. Father Time is undefeated after all.
Bucs fans would still be happy to have David back for another year though and the fact that he's not even listening to outside offers just shows how much he loves this franchise. A second-round pick in 2012 out of Nebraska, David has been a great player for the Buccaneers franchise so it's nice to know that if he does return for a 15th NFL season, it'll be the Bucs or bust.
If he's willing to come back on an affordable deal, why not let David return? If he decides he's ready to call it a career though, that's okay too. He'll forever be a fan favorite in Tampa Bay either way.