Former All-Pro linebacker announces his retirement

Dec 7, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) stands on the sidelines during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

A former All-Pro linebacker is officially calling it a career.

Longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David has announced his retirement. David played 14 NFL seasons, all of them with the Bucs.

Forever a Buccaneer 🏴‍☠️

Congratulations on retirement, Lavonte. pic.twitter.com/8ET8CPdeRd
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 24, 2026

David walks away as one of the most accomplished players in Buccaneers franchise history. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2013 and received second-team honors on two other occasions. He was also part of the team’s Super Bowl championship in 2020.

David ends his career with 1,716 total tackles, including 177 for a loss. He also collected 42.5 career sacks and 14 interceptions, and forced 33 career fumbles.

This is certainly proving to be an offseason of change for the Buccaneers. In addition to David’s retirement, franchise icon Mike Evans left the Buccaneers for a new challenge. The upcoming season will be the first since 2011 that neither David nor Evans are on the team’s roster.