Lavonte David’s return helps Buccaneers Super Bowl repeat chances

Lavonte David’s return before he hit free agency is a plus for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they look to retain their Super Bowl core. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David has been through both the good times and the bad times since being drafted back in 2012. Now, after winning his first Super Bowl ring, the former Nebraska Cornhusker has agreed to a two-year extension worth $25 million, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The deal makes sense from a financial standpoint and also validates head coach Bruce Arians’ comments from the parade when he proclaimed that David “ain’t going nowhere.” What the Buccaneers choose to do with free agents Shaquil Barrett and Ndamukong Suh remain to be seen.

In David’s case, he gets a chance to potentially finish out his career and defend the crown with the team that took him in the second round and watched him develop into one of the best linebackers in the league and form a formidable duo with Devin White.

Lavonte David returning is a start but the Buccaneers have a lot more work to do.

Lavonte David saw it all as a member of the Buccaneers. The year he was drafted, the franchise had come off a 4-12 record. In his first year, they went 7-9, and he recorded 112 tackles. Over his first three seasons, he recorded over 100 tackles. Throughout his career, David has recorded 1,125 tackles and 24 sacks to go along with 12 interceptions.

But he is just one part of a defensive core that dominated in the postseason that is facing potential changes. Barrett is now on the open market, and whether or not Tampa Bay retains him or Suh is a question, especially after wide receiver Chris Godwin had the franchise tag placed upon him.

Lavonte David has his money but also has a ring. But what about the rest of the players on defense? Time will tell if everyone returns to defend the crown.