Jason Licht: Lavonte David Decision is a Special Case with Open Door for 2026

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving into the heart of the 2026 offseason with one massive question mark still hovering over the roster. General Manager Jason Licht confirmed Friday that franchise legend Lavonte David has not yet decided if he will return for his 15th NFL season. Licht isn’t rushing the process, stating that the organization has an “open door” policy for the 36-year-old linebacker that could last until the first whistle of training camp.

The Standard of the Red and Pewter

Licht spoke with a group of reporters at One Buc Palace, where the air usually hums with the frantic energy of draft boards and free-agent phone calls. When David’s name came up, the tone shifted to one of pure reverence. Licht referred to the linebacker as a “special case,” a status earned over 14 years of punishing hits and leadership. The front office and ownership are in lockstep: David decides his future on his own timeline.

While the Buccaneers recently watched franchise icon Mike Evans depart for a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, Licht made it clear that Evans’ exit has no bearing on David’s choice. This isn’t about a package deal or a “last dance” with old friends. It is a personal evaluation of health and hunger. David is coming off a 2025 campaign where he defied age, leading the team with 114 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He played all 17 games, but it wasn’t easy. Reports indicate David required weekly knee drainage during the season before undergoing arthroscopic surgery this winter.

• Total Career Tackles: 1,714 (Tied with Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks for the franchise record).
• 2025 Production: 114 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception.
• Career Tenure: 14 seasons, all with Tampa Bay.

“I’m genuinely undecided. I know I still have a lot of football left in me, and I still love the game. But I also want to spend more time with my daughter, taking her to school and being there. It’s a tough balance.”
— Lavonte David, Buccaneers Linebacker (via Caps Off Podcast)

Draft Strategy and the Future at Linebacker

The Buccaneers aren’t sitting idle while waiting for David’s phone call. The team already bolstered the unit by signing veteran Alex Anzalone in free agency. However, the real intrigue lies in the upcoming NFL Draft. Tampa Bay has been heavily linked to Georgia Bulldogs star CJ Allen, a physical, high-IQ linebacker who many scouts view as the natural heir to David’s throne. Allen’s ability to “green dot” a defense and diagnose plays mirrors the very traits that made David a household name in Tampa.

The humidity in Tampa is already rising as spring practices approach, but the middle of the Bucs’ defense remains a wait-and-see zone. If David returns, he’ll have the chance to stand alone as the franchise’s all-time leading tackler. If he walks away, he does so having tied the great Derrick Brooks at the very summit of the mountain. Either way, the Bucs are prepared to let their captain lead one last time—even if it’s from his own living room for a few more weeks.