The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did their part on Saturday. To keep their playoff chances alive, they needed to defeat the Carolina Panthers. It was far from easy, but the Buccaneers were able to do just that, defeating the Panthers 16-14. Now to make the playoffs, they need the New Orleans Saints to defeat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, or for that game to end in a tie.
As the Buccaneers will wait to see if their season is extended for another week, questions will certain arise about who will return next year. Some players will hit free agency, one of them being one of their franchise mainstays in linebacker Lavonte David. David has spent the entirety of his NFL career in Tampa Bay ever since getting selected in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Now at age 35, Buccaneers fans are curious whether David will return or retire.
After the Buccaneers' win on Saturday, David was asked by reporters about whether he will retire. David told reporters that he hasn't made a decision yet.
Lavonte David said he has no idea what the future holds.
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) January 4, 2026
He’s hoping the season continues and the Saints help them out, but he’ll cross the retirement bridge then.
He did thank the media in his opening statement for covering the team during his career.
His family was in a… pic.twitter.com/D7yvlrUte5
Lavonte David says he hasn’t decided if he’s retiring after this season.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) January 4, 2026
Lavonte David uncertain about retirement, NFL future after Buccaneers' Week 18 win
There will be plenty of time for David to make a decision on his playing career. But after a win with the team's season still on the line, David didn't have a firm answer on that.
David showed on Saturday that he can still contribute to the team. In the fourth quarter, the Panthers attempted a flea flicker play in the red zone, but that failed spectacularly. Panthers running back Rico Dowdle slipped during his attempt to pitch the football back to quarterback Bryce Young, causing it to fall short. The Buccaneers defense swarmed, and David was the one to recover the fumble.
David made history as a result of the fumble recovery. David is now the third player since 1982 to record 40+ sacks and 35+ takeaways. The only other players to do so were Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher.
3⃣5⃣ CAREER TAKEAWAYS!
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 3, 2026
Lavonte David is in elite company, joining Hall of Famers Ray Lewis & Brian Urlacher as the only players since 1982 with 40+ sacks and 35+ takeaways 🤯 pic.twitter.com/coY5GQP6vr
Not to mention, David also tied Derrick Brooks' all-time tackles record with the Buccaneers.
Entering Saturday, David had 108 combined tackles (56 solo, 52 assisted), eight tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception to his credit. In the 16-14 win over Carolina, David recorded six combined tackles (five solo, one assisted), anda fumble recovery.
David is still making an impact on defense. Now, it's a matter of whether he wants to continue his career. First things first, let's see if the Buccaneers play in at least one more home game in the playoffs.