After Lavonte David spoke about his football and Bucs future last week, general manger Jason Licht made his feelings about David very clear during his Tuesday press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

When asked about the potential of expanded roles for the Bucs’ young linebackers — namely K.J. Britt and SirVocea Dennis — Licht first praised Britt, Dennis and J.J. Russell before quickly steering the conversation toward Lavonte David and how much the team wants him back to man the middle of the defense for the 13th straight year.

“Very excited about those guys. I thought J.J. [Russell] did a nice job too for us when he stepped in as a starter,” Licht said. “We’d like to have Lavonte [David] back. Put him on the Mount Rushmore of Bucs, I think everybody would. He had a hell of a year. We’d like to have him back too, but we are excited about that young group.”

While nothing is imminent on a new contract for Lavonte David or any of the Bucs’ other priority free agents (and eventual free-agents-to-be), Licht said talks have begun with each of them.

“We’ve started talks with Baker. We’ve started with Mike, Antoine, Tristan, Lavonte,” Licht said. “I think they’re going well.”

Lavonte David Is Still Playing At A High Level

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

It certainly makes sense that Jason Licht wants Lavonte David back if he wants to keep playing in 2024. David just completed his age-33 season, which was his 12th as a pro, and was still one of the Bucs’ best and most consistent players.

Playing 15 of 17 games, David led the team in tackles with 134 (86 solo). He also tallied 17 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks — both his highest totals since 2016. The longtime captain added a forced fumble and five passes defensed, too.

After the season, Todd Bowles spoke glowingly about David and the fact that he has continued to play “timeless football.”

“Would love to have him back,” Bowles said. “He’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached. I don’t even look at his age – he plays timeless, he plays timeless football. He plays it the right way, he prepares the right way, he’s the ultimate professional.”

David’s legacy has long been cemented in Tampa. He’s been one of the most underrated players in the NFL since he entered the league in 2012 as a second-round pick. Because he’s been so underrated, he doesn’t have the Pro Bowls and All-Pros that he’s deserved, notching just one each.

But if missing those accolades costs David a Pro Football Hall of Fame case, he will at the very least be a surefire Bucs Ring of Honor inductee and find himself immortalized inside Raymond James Stadium.

Replacing Two Linebackers In One Offseason Would Be Difficult For Jason Licht

Bucs ILBs Lavonte David and Devin White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

If Lavonte David chooses to retire or otherwise doesn’t return to the Bucs for his age-34 season, it would cause quite the headache for Jason Licht and Todd Bowles. That would have them in a spot where they’ll need two new starting linebackers in 2024.

That’s because the team isn’t expected to entertain re-signing Devin White, who has started alongside David for each of the last five years. White has been inconsistent over the last few seasons and as a result, is destined to continue his career elsewhere. That has long been the feeling, and it feels even closer to a certainty now.

During his media availability in Indianapolis, Jason Licht was asked whether the team had opened up communication with White — as it has with its priority free agents — and there was very little to suggest that No. 45 will suit up for the Bucs again.

“No, we’re still trying to make some decisions on some of those other players,” Licht said. “Devin did some really good things for us throughout his career, but we’re still sorting through some things.”

Bucs GM Jason Licht and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

So if David and White are both gone, Licht and Bowles will need to figure out both members of their new starting linebacking duo in the same offseason.

This year’s inside linebacker draft class isn’t all that deep, and there aren’t a ton of viable starting inside linebackers on the free agent market who would be within the Bucs’ price range.

Tampa Bay would more than likely fill one of those starting linebacker spots through the draft or with a value free agent signing, then fill the other with an in-house option. K.J. Britt played well in White’s absence toward the end of last year, plus the team likes 2023 draft pick SirVocea Dennis and J.J. Russell.

But if Jason Licht has his way, Lavonte David will be back in 2024 and the Bucs will be able to rebuild their linebacking duo over time — not in one offseason.