The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today re-signed linebacker Lavonte David to a multi-year contract. As per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
"Over the past nine seasons, Lavonte has been the defensive cornerstone of our franchise. He embodies every quality that we look for in a player, both on and off the football field," said Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. "The exceptional talent and leadership that he brings to our team are valued by everyone in our building and he is incredibly deserving of this new contract. We are excited to keep Lavonte here in Tampa Bay as he continues his historic career."
David (6-1, 233) has amassed 1,123 tackles (804 solo), including 128 for loss over his nine years with Tampa Bay, adding 55 quarterback hits, 51 passes defensed, 24.0 sacks, 24 forced fumbles, 16 fumble recoveries, 12 interceptions and three defensive touchdowns in 137 career games.
Since entering the league in 2012, David leads all players in solo tackles and fumble recoveries, while ranking second in total tackles, third in tackles for loss and fourth in forced fumbles. Among linebackers in that span, he ranks first in solo tackles, tackles for loss, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries. He also ranks tied for second at his position in interceptions and fourth in passes defensed.
During the team's 2020 championship season, David finished tied for first among all Buccaneers with two fumble recoveries and finished second on the team in tackles (117), second in forced fumbles (three) and tackles for loss (12) and tied for third in passes defensed (six). He also added three quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks and one interception. In four postseason games, David notched 26 tackles, four passes defensed, 1.0 sack and one tackle for loss.
David was a captain of the 2020 Buccaneers defense, which led the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (80.6) and finished sixth in total yards allowed per game (327.1). Between the regular season and postseason combined, Tampa Bay also led the NFL in takeaways (34), tackles for loss (107) and quarterback hits (142), while finishing tied with the Los Angeles Rams for the most sacks (58.0).
Starting all 137 games in his NFL career, David stands tied for the fifth-most starts in franchise history. Additionally, he is one of four players in team history with 1,000-or-more career tackles alongside Derrick Brooks (2,198), Rondé Barber (1,428) and Hardy Nickerson (1,028). David also leads all Buccaneers defenders with his 16 career fumble recoveries and trails only Derrick Brooks (25) in interceptions by a Tampa Bay linebacker.
David is one of just two players in league history to have accounted for 1,000-or-more tackles, 20.0-plus sacks and 10-or-more interceptions through their first eight career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.
He has been a defensive captain for Tampa Bay in seven consecutive seasons (2014-20) and also serves as a national spokesperson and ambassador for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
The Miami native played collegiately at Nebraska prior to being selected by the Buccaneers in the second round (No. 58 overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
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