Supply: LB David again for season 12 with Bucs

Jenna LaineESPN Workers Writer2:33 PM ET2 Minute Learn

In response to the supply, linebacker Lavonte David is returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year contract.

The deal is valued at $7 million with incentives that may improve the entire worth to $8 million, the supply mentioned.

The staff’s longest-serving participant needed to stick with Tampa Bay in the course of his profession and mentioned he hopes to sooner or later be part of the Buccaneers’ ring of honor.

“It will be unbelievable,” he mentioned. “I by no means actually thought of something like that once I was a child. Now that it could be a actuality. It’s simply overwhelming to be subsequent to a man like Derrick Brooks that you just type of like to look at and type of adore, after which Ronde [Barber]who you really performed with.”

David, who captained 9 of his 11 seasons with the Buccaneers, has lengthy been regarded by a number of coaches and entrance workplace workers as the center and soul of the staff and a real throwback by way of work ethic and dedication.

He continues to play at a excessive stage, though he not often will get credit score in Professional Bowl voting regardless of being named an All-Professional thrice. In 2022, David, who turned 33 in January, returned from a Lisfranc damage and completed the staff with 124 mixed tackles (80 solo).

David is the Buccaneers’ greatest linebacker in protection, and he nonetheless has the velocity to chase ball carriers and blitz the quarterback, amassing 29 sacks in his profession.

General, his 949 solo tackles are essentially the most of any participant within the league since 2012, as is his 18 fumble recoveries. His 143 tackles for a loss is fifth within the league since 2012, behind JJ Watt, Aaron Donald, Cameron Jordan and Von Miller.

He and Ray Lewis of the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame are the one two gamers in NFL historical past with greater than 1,000 tackles, 20 sacks and 10 interceptions of their first eight NFL seasons.

David ranks third in franchise historical past for tackles (1,345), fifth in video games performed (166), and fourth in begins (166).

Supply