Lavonte David, the heartbeat of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense for the past decade, has produced a Hall of Fame-worthy career. The 12-time team captain has the third-most career games played and started in franchise history. Against the Carolina Panthers in the 2025 regular season finale, David finished with a team-high six tackles and one fumble recovery. In recording six tackles on the night, David tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks for sixth place all-time in tackles recorded by StatsPass with 1,714. Per StatsPass records, David and Brooks are tied as Tampa Bay's all-time leading tacklers.
David's fumble recovery was his 35th career takeaway, joining him with Pro Football Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher as the only players with 40-plus sacks and 35-plus takeaways since at least 1982. In his career, David has 21 career fumble recoveries, a franchise record, most among all active players, and second-most among all players since 1991 (Jason Taylor, 29). In 2025, David accumulated an interception, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 3.5 sacks, 114 combined tackles (61 solo), eight tackles for loss and six quarterback hits. Throughout his prolific tenure in Tampa Bay, David has boasted 14 interceptions, 73 passes defensed, 33 forced fumbles, 21 fumble recoveries, 42.5 sacks, 1,714 combined tackles, 1,172 solo tackles, 177 tackles for loss and 79 quarterback hits.
David is one of two players since tackles began being tracked in 1994 with 1,500-plus tackles, 40.0-plus sacks and 10-plus interceptions, joining Ray Lewis. Additionally, he is one of four players to record at least 40.0-plus sacks, 30-plus forced fumbles and 10-plus interceptions alongside Julius Peppers, Mo Lewis and Greg Lloyd. Time will tell what his decision will be for the 2026 season but David has the credentials to be immortalized in Canton.
"Yeah, he tied him for the most tackles of all-time [as a Buccaneer], I mean that's saying something," said Head Coach Todd Bowles. "He always comes up with a big play when you need it, regardless of whether it's a big hit [or] an interception. He, if this was it for him, went out in true Lavonte fashion, he did a heck of a job. I can't say enough good things about him. His work speaks for himself, what he means to the team, the organization as a whole, you cannot replace."
David is touted as not only one of the best off-ball linebackers in the game but in league annals. He has set the standard in the NFL with consistency and longevity, manning the middle of Tampa Bay's defense. Whether rushing the passer through the A-gap, covering tight ends, or pursuit against the run to stonewall rushers, David is proficient. The well-rounded linebacker embodies the traits and intangibles that the Bucs look for each year in the draft and has powered the club's defense for the past 14 seasons in legendary fashion.
