Every offseason in recent years, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans have gotten used to the will-he-won't-he narrative surrounding Lavonte David and retirement. The 36-year-old linebacker has spent the entirety of his 14-year career in Tampa Bay after the Buccaneers drafted him in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
No one should be surprised that we're doing the same song and dance this offseason. Kay Adams had David on her show, Up & Adams, and asked what the verdict is on retirement this time around. David's answer didn't really answer anything but he did drop an interesting nugget about how if head coach Todd Bowles wasn't retained, David would not be returning.
“Ultimately, it’s my decision... After the end of the year, I had my conversation with Jason [Licht] and [head] coach [Todd] Bowles and my position coach [Mike Caldwell]. Just go from there... It’s always up to me and what I want to do," David said. "If Bowles wasn’t coming back, there was no shot to be honest with you... That’s a fact. Me and Bowles just have that relationship. I’ve gotten extremely comfortable with him, comfortable with his defense, and our relationship is… something I’ve always wanted. The past seven years I’ve been working with him, it’s been really, really fun and I enjoy his football knowledge."
Lavonte David says he wouldn’t return for 15th NFL season if Bucs fired Todd Bowles
So, there you have it, Bucs fans. If you want David back for another season, then the Bucs keeping Bowles was the best possible move. It didn't feel like a certainty that Bowles would be back after such a disappointing season that saw the team finish with a losing record and not win the division (and therefore, missed out on the playoffs).
That being said, it makes sense why David would tie his future to Bowles. Returning for a 15th season with a new coach probably wouldn't make much sense for David at this stage of his career. He's worked with Bowles for many years now so it also is fitting that he's defending Bowles and the Bucs' decision to keep him around.
Bowles was a second-round pick by Tampa in 2012 out of Nebraska and has become a fan favorite for his efforts. He's a one-time All-Pro linebacker and was a big part in helping the Buccaneers win Super Bowl 55. Kay Adams also asked him if his retirement decision hinged on him passing Derrick Brooks for the most tackles in franchise history and David said it wasn't.
“If it’s a tie, it is what it is. If not — either way, I’m kind of happy, satisfied to be honest with you.”
Last year, David decided to return for a 14th NFL season early in the free agency process and, once again, he put together a 100+ tackle season. That's something David has accomplished all but two times in his lengthy career so clearly, he's an all-timer for this organization.