Bucs’ star inside linebacker Lavonte David  will be back with Tampa Bay for a 14th season in 2025. As has been the case for the past couple of seasons, the chances of Lavonte David returning were completely up to him on whether he wanted to keep playing football or ride off into the sunset and retire. The Bucs always wanted him back, it’s just if he would keep going.

It’s an important decision that every athlete has to make in their career. Eventually they have to retire, but what’s the best way to go about it? Lavonte David has accomplished many goals in his career. Anything more is just a cherry on top of it all. If anything it’s just about continuing to do what he loves.

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today

Lavonte David Gives Insight Into Decision To Keep Playing

Lavonte David spoke to the media on Monday after signing his latest deal and gave us a detailed look into how he goes about deciding each season on if he’ll continue to keep playing.

“When I’m home, I just try to unwind and relax,” Lavonte David began. “See if I can get my mind of football and just focus on the responsibilities and things that I’ve got to take care of outside of football. After that, once I’ve got all of that in line, I just try to figure out what’s next. What’s next? What do I want to do? What are the steps I’ve got to take to keep living a structured life? Taking care of responsibilities that I’ve got to take care of. Obviously, my love for the game is still there. I still love playing the game of football.”

Doing It At A High Level

There’s more than one area that plays a factor into all of this. It’s one thing for David to come back, but it’s another to still be playing well. That’s a big question he asks himself every year.

Bucs LB Lavonte David and Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Can I still uphold the standard that I’ve made for myself when I play the game?” David said. “This year, it took longer than usual, just because unfortunately at the end of the playoff game, I was injured, so I had to make sure I healed from that and [see] how serious it was and go from there. Then, spending time with family, getting people’s opinions, picking everybody’s brain and things like that…Having people by my side who still believe in me and believe in my ability – obviously teammates, people who I’ve built relationships [with] throughout playing this game, and then getting a little encouragement and motivation from them and stuff like that.

“That kind of, ultimately, led to me making that decision. For me to get going, I like to have a foundation in place, so I need to make a decision on what I want to do to be able to move forward and get myself together and go on. I just got that extra bump [inside], saying, ‘I still love the game, I still have the ability to play, I still trust myself, I still believe in myself.’ Why not? Why not give it another shot?

Bucs Wanted Lavonte David To Return

Evidently the Bucs wanted him back from the beginning. Despite a down season from the inside linebackers in general, David was still the best of the group and an important leader heading into next season. We don’t know how much longer David will go, but at least we know it’ll only be in a red and pewter uniform.

“Obviously, the staff, Jason [Licht] and all those guys – they wanted me back. That was one of the main things – they wanted me back. It wasn’t like they were letting me do whatever. All they did was give me a little time to make a decision, but they said, ‘We have a contract here ready for you if you’re ready.’ That made it easier for me.”