Unfortunately with the Bucs’ Wild Card loss that ended their season, one of the first questions that pops into the mind is if this was the last time we would see legendary inside linebacker Lavonte David play the game of football.

Lavonte David has signed a series of one-year contracts over the past two seasons. That’s pretty much how he’ll go about the rest of his career until he decides to stop playing.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

David, who is 34 years old and will be 35 by the time of next season, is a rare breed. There are not many linebackers at his age starting for a defense at his position, let alone being a leader of it. David is past his prime, but still has big moments and is capable of playing next season. Lavonte David finished the regular season playing all 17 games with 122 tackles, 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

If the Wild Card game was his last, he went out balling once again by recording eight tackles and a sack. Following the playoff exit, David was asked about his future in the game of football and whether he’s thought about if he’ll either play next season or retire.

“No, not really,” he said. “Right now I’m just going to take this on, go home. Regroup a little bit, see where my head is at then and go from there.”

He continued.

“A lot to think about man, a lot to think about. You know I’m just so [disappointed]. You know, just go ahead and go home, be with my little girl, be a dad, and go from there.”

When asked about if he has a timeline for when to make decision, he reiterated that he’s not that far into it just yet. Free agency isn’t until the middle of March, so there’s time to think it over.

“No exact timeline,” David said. “All I’m going to do is go home and get my mind off of football. And if I come back, I’ll have a decision by then.”

What’s The Bucs ILB Room Like Without Lavonte David?

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today

It goes without saying that Lavonte David is an icon in Bucs history. He will one day have his name in the Bucs Ring Of Honor and hopefully he can get into the Hall of Fame as well.

David can still play at a high level. His blitzing got him to the quarterback several times this season and he can anticipate when a run play is coming just as well as anyone. Pass coverage wasn’t his best this year, but it by far wasn’t as bad as the rest of the group.

Speaking of the Bucs’ inside linebackers, what does the room consist of if Lavonte David does not play? It’s pretty empty, and their future of the group is also coming off of injury. SirVocea Dennis only played in four games in his second season before he was out for the rest of it with after getting shoulder surgery.

K.J. Britt was on the last year of his contract, and the way this season went, it’s not likely he’ll be back. J.J. Russell, who started after Britt, is a restricted free agent and likely has a chance to return, but shouldn’t be penciled in as a starter. So realistically, if there’s no David next season, the Bucs have an injury-prone Dennis as their top linebacker.

Tampa Bay will have to certainly address inside linebacker in the draft and in free agency. Too many times this season they gave up passing plays over the middle, especially to the opponent’s tight ends.

If David retires, they miss out on a team leader that means so much to the community. If he returns, he can continue to build his legacy as one of the best to ever to do it wearing a Bucs uniform.