For Lavonte David, this season could be his “Last Dance.”

The 35-year-old inside linebacker is halfway through his 14th season, spending the entirety of it with the Bucs. That has allowed him to see plenty of football and what it takes to form a team that has all the makings of a Super Bowl contender. Appearing on The Rondé Barber Show this past week, David shared his thoughts on where the 2025 Bucs are.

Not only does “LVD” believe this squad has what it takes to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, but he also discussed with the legendary cornerback how the defense has come away with more frequent takeaways and what the vibes and camaraderie are like within the locker room.

Lavonte David On The 6-2 Bucs: “We Haven’t Even Played Our Best Ball Yet”

Lavonte David took on a large responsibility following Rondé Barber’s retirement after the 2012 season. With Barber retiring, his locker became a vacant mantle — one that David has since taken up. In a symbolic manner, the veteran linebacker holds the same position Barber once did as the Bucs’ defensive leader.

Having played 206 games, David is nearing the end of the road on a career that has been criminally underrated. For him, one last trip to the Super Bowl and a second championship ring would send him out on top, perhaps adding another feather to cap a Hall of Fame caliber career.

Bucs LB Lavonte David – Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Before that happens though, what stands in his and the rest of the team’s way is the second half of the season. One cannot argue that the first half was largely a success, as the team is currently 6-2 and has shown signs of progress on both sides of the football. That has David excited about the 2025 Bucs being a team that has what it takes, but that comes with playing even better down the stretch.

“Yes, it definitely feels like a team that can do it,” David told Barber. “The confidence level is there; we have the guys to be able to get us there. I just think the consistency that we’re trying to get to can be accomplished. We haven’t even played our best ball yet… our best ball is still ahead of us. From the defensive standpoint, we haven’t been the best, but we’ve definitely kind of hit our stride with taking the ball away and being consistent in certain things.

David’s point here rings loud and clear, especially after the defense’s performance in New Orleans. The two Tampa Bay legends opened the interview by discussing the outstanding play of outside linebacker Anthony Nelson, but it extends deeper than that. Of course, Nelson forced two turnovers and scored a defensive touchdown against the Saints, but he was not the only one. The secondary chipped in two of their own, with cornerback Jamel Dean forcing a fumble and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. adding an interception.

Bucs ILBs Lavonte David and ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

In recent weeks, the unit has looked more cohesive and is playing faster within head coach Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme. The blitzes are still there, combined with the success had by various players creating turnovers. There is work to be done, but strides have been made.

“It’s been a lot of plug-and-play throughout the season, and guys are really now understanding, getting to Bowles’ gameplan concepts,” David added. “Getting to the same mind as Bowles, and everybody is just trying to get on the same page. I think we definitely have what it takes to get us there. We just have to continue to take care of the small things, and we’ll be able to get there.”

The Bucs’ Defense Is Playing With A Changed Attitude And Mindset

For the Bucs to get to where they want to go, it is no secret that will come from the defense doing its part. Rondé Barber knows that all too well, as he was a key part of the 2002 defense that helped the franchise win its first Super Bowl. The dominance had that season included coming away with nine defensive touchdowns. While it is debatable which iteration of Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl-winning teams is better, what was accomplished during 2002 came despite an offense that did just enough.

With that said, the saying goes that “defense wins championships.” The way the unit has played recently is promising, and they will need to help complement this offense. Despite there being a lot of talent on the other side, they will not always be able to score 30 points a game.

“I think it’s the attitude and it’s a focus factor,” David said about where the takeaways in recent weeks have come from. “If everybody is just understanding the job, if you take care of your job, and you play fast doing your job, the takeaways will come because you know what you’re supposed to be doing and you’re in the right position.

“You can attack the football… throughout the game [against the Saints], every time somebody had the ball in their hands, guys were attacking the football, attacking the guy, getting him down, making the tackle, stuff like that. That’s just the mindset you have to have.”

With how long David has been around, one would think that is always the message being echoed within the team’s facility and on the practice field. After all, Barber helped pass that along to the one that took his torch.

Former Bucs CB Ronde Barber and ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today

That might be true, but David continued by sharing that it takes the entire defense completely buying in to what Todd Bowles wants his players to do.

“Every time I get in the huddle, I always say, ‘Takeaway, three-and-out. Takeaway, three-and-out.’ That’s got to be our mindset. Guys are really taking heed to it. Last year, we weren’t. We didn’t have that many takeaways and we want to try and change that attitude, change that mindset because our offense has been on fire, man. We haven’t been talked about a lot, so defensively we’re trying to get our hands in there, too.”

To that, Barber smiled as it reminded him of the conversations he had between former head coach Jon Gruden, as well as fellow Hall of Famers Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, and John Lynch back in the day.

“That mentality, when it becomes intentional, when you’re trying to do it week-in and week-out, it’s amazing how it just starts happening,” Barber said.

Todd Bowles Has Given Lavonte David And The Players Control Of The Ship

To Rondé Barber, hearing the news that Todd Bowles gave the entire Bucs team a week off from practice was unprecedented. Barber jokingly seemed a little envious of Lavonte David hearing that news, but it also probed a deeper question.

With the way that Bowles has led the team, what happens within the locker room?

Bucs OLBs coach Larry Foote, ILB Lavonte David, DB Tykee Smith and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

There is always talk about how well all of the players gel, but to David, how does the head coach help provide that environment?

“I think everybody is just bonding with each other,” David said about the current locker room. “It’s a family atmosphere in everything we do. It’s just about taking care of each other and being there for one another. Bowles always reiterates that, ‘What happens in this locker room stays in this locker room. This team is run through the players, run through us. We control the ship.’ That’s just the mentality that we have together as a locker room.

“Starting with me obviously, you got Mike [Evans]. Even though Mike is out, you see how everybody was devastated about Mike being out because of the type of guy he is in the locker room, how he is to the young guys. You got other people too, young boys’ kind of following the mold of the older guys. Guys who’ve been playing… and they’re getting a voice too. I always say, ‘Everybody is a leader.’ If you feel like you got something you want to talk about, something you want to say, don’t hesitate to say it.”

Bucs ILB Lavonte David and WR Tez Johnson – Photo by: USA Today

It starts with the veteran players, but it comes down to every player being given the voice to step up and lead with an open line of communication.

“I think that’s a [testament] to coach Bowles, too. Coach Bowles has an open-door policy, whenever something’s wrong or if you have an issue or something, let him know… I think that’s why a lot of defensive guys are comfortable with him, too. Defensively, if somebody does not like a play call, you tell him. ‘Alright, I’ll throw it out then,'” David said with a laugh. “That just starts with him, man. That’s what he brings to us, and he gives everybody a sense of comfort.”

Watch The Full Interview Between Bucs Legends Rondé Barber And Lavonte David

With the Bucs on a bye week, now is the perfect time to watch the full interview between Bucs legends Rondé Barber and Lavonte David on The Rondé Barber Show. Barber and David share stories and also hand out some midseason awards for this year’s team. Check it out below: