Lavonte David and Bobby Wagner have long been linked at the hip for the parallels their playing careers have had.

Both are entering their 13th NFL seasons after being second-round picks back in 2012.

Both have given different meanings to the No. 54s they have donned while piling up tackles on a yearly basis.

With both now entering their age-34 seasons on one-year deals, they are also gearing up for a potential last matchup on opposing defenses when the Bucs play the Commanders to open the regular season on Sunday afternoon.

Lavonte David And Bobby Wagner Both Remain Highly Productive

Commanders ILB Bobby Wagner – Photo by: USA Today

Think long and hard about the best inside linebackers of the 21st century and it is not before long that Lavonte David and Bobby Wagner enter the discussion. There have been a few that stand out each decade.

Bucs legend Derrick Brooks and his Hall of Fame counterparts Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, and Zack Thomas were among the best in the 2000s.

In the 2010s, David and Wagner were joined by the likes of Luke Kuechly and Patrick Willis as the top linebackers in the game.

But perhaps most telling is that entering 2024, both of them remain highly productive and are among the last ones standing in their generation. David turned back the clock in multiple statistical categories last year, moving and playing more like he did in 2015, his lone Pro Bowl season. Wagner set a career-high last year with 183 total tackles and continues to be awarded accolades.

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today

While that may draw the ire of those who reside in Tampa Bay, both have yet to drastically fall off or retire, which makes Sunday’s matchup nostalgic.

Oftentimes one looks at quarterbacks facing off one final time as the key storyline, such as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. What goes unnoticed or under the radar are the quarterbacks of the defense.

David has long filled that role for the Bucs, playing what head coach Todd Bowles said is “timeless” football after last season. Many know the impact and value he has long had on the organization, even if it is underappreciated on the outside.

Before Week 1 though, Bowles, quarterback Baker Mayfield, and inside linebacker K.J. Britt all discussed how Wagner has captained his defenses and his influence.

Various Bucs Respect Bobby Wagner’s Game, Including “Close Friend” Lavonte David

Wednesday’s Bucs press conferences were “exciting,” but the offense won’t be excited to face a revamped Commanders defense with the addition of Bobby Wagner being the most notable.

While they drafted defensive tackle Johnny Newton and cornerback Mike Sainristil in the second round, the team knows what to expect from the veteran Wagner.

“Besides his playmaking ability, he’s extremely intelligent,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “There’s probably not an offensive play he hasn’t seen, or he hasn’t dissected. He can really breathe confidence into a defense because of his communication and the way he plays.”

Quarterback Baker Mayfield is familiar with a few of the Commanders’ offseason signings.

Commanders ILB Bobby Wagner – Photo by: USA Today

In his tumultuous 2022 season, he was teammates with safety Jeremy Chinn and linebacker Frankie Luvu on the Panthers and briefly with Wagner during their respective stints on the Rams. To him, the nine-time Pro Bowler is the same player he’s always been.

“Bobby Wagner is – a legend,” Mayfield said. “He’s a seasoned vet, he’s seen every type of scheme. You can tell, just his recognition of plays. People can talk about his age, but I’m pretty sure he led the league in tackles last year, so I don’t really think he’s lost a step.”

From an inside linebacker’s perspective, K.J. Britt is nearly the same height and weight as Wagner at six feet and roughly 240 pounds. Britt has watched him for a while and respects his greatness, just like he does while playing next to Lavonte David.

“Bobby is always somebody who I’ve looked up to, even back in the “Legion of Boom,” Britt told Pewter Report. “[He’s] been a great player in this league, just like Lavonte. Hall-of-Fame caliber. It’s part of this league, you’re going to go against some great players, and he’s one of them.”

David even chimed in about seeing his close friend on Thursday.

“Bobby is a very close friend of mine,” David said. “We always stay in constant contact with each other. You know, a lot of people might not know but we were Senior Bowl roommates. [We] were on the same Senior Bowl team and since that day going forward, we’ve been close friends and stuff like that. Bobby is a really great friend of mine. We’ve obviously been watching each other’s career and we’re both rooting for each other, so I’m sure Sunday, knowing Bobby – he’s going to come with his A game. He’s going [to] be ready and the same for me.”

Don’t Forget About Lavonte David In This Conversation

All of this talk about Bobby Wagner is only half the conversation.

Bucs LB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Lavonte David is still very much a productive player in his own right, even if the career accolades do not line up. Playing for the vaunted Seahawks’ defenses raised Wagner’s profile during a time when David had yet to play in a playoff game.

That has created an unfair perception of how good each inside linebacker has been, as while one has made nine Pro Bowls, the other has made one. While one has a Hall-of-Fame resume, the other is unlikely to receive the type of support to get a bust in Canton, Ohio.

As David prepares for another year in red and pewter, he still views himself among the best of the best.

“I feel like every time I’m on the field, I’m one of the best out there on the field,” David said during an appearance on Ari Meirov’s “NFL Spotlight” podcast in July.

David continued.

“As you get older, you get more wisdom and you’re hearing it a lot more and more and more, you’re like, ‘Yeah, you guys do got a point – I am underappreciated.’ My name should be talked a lot more in this game. But at the end of the day, I’m having fun, I’m happy, I love the game of football and I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving the game of football. Just out there having fun, building relationships with teammates and coaches and things like that. With the recognition coming down the line, if it comes, it comes. If it don’t, it don’t. I’m grateful for every time that I stepped out on the field.”

Sunday afternoon will mark another season that Lavonte David and Bobby Wagner step out onto the field. As they put the finishing touches on their NFL careers, it could be the last time they face each other. It is not the biggest storyline, but it is a time to reflect and appreciate the greatness of two of the best inside linebackers to ever play.

Bobby Wagner vs. Lavonte David Tale Stats Comparison

Commanders ILB Bobby Wagner

Tackles: 1,706 (996 solo)
Tackles for loss: 89
Sacks: 33
Forced fumbles: 6
Fumble recoveries: 10
Pass breakups: 68
Interceptions: 13
Defensive TDs: 4
Safeties: 1

Bucs ILB Lavonte David

Tackles: 1,480 (1,035 solo)
Tackles for loss: 160
Sacks: 33.5
Forced fumbles: 28
Fumble recoveries: 18
Pass breakups: 64
Interceptions: 12
Defensive TDs: 3
Safeties: 1