Bucs Veteran Opts Free Agency After Tampa Bay Cuts Multiple Stars With Tom Brady Retired

One after the other, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl LV Championship team keeps disintegrating. First, it was their quarterback and NFL icon Tom Brady who announced his second retirement in February. And then came the others with free agency approaching, including veteran linebacker Lavonte David.

With 23 other players entering the free agent market from the Buccaneers’ roster, Lavonte would not have been interested in being part of a complete rebuild around a new quarterback. And the captain of the Bucs’ defense also had Tampa Bay’s despicable cap situation in mind when he decided to test out the market.

What is a good fit for Lavonte David in 2023?

Since joining the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft, Pro-Bowler Lavonte David has been the epitome of efficiency. The LB has racked up the second-highest tackles in the league since 2012 (1346), only second to former Seahawks and Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner (1523). And Wagner is also testing free agency from March 15.

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According to the current roster options in the league, the Eagles, Jets, and Dolphins are likely spots since Lavonte wants to keep winning. Philly has two LBs (T. J. Edwards and Kyzir White), both their prime safeties (Marcus Epps and C. J. Gardner Johnson), their number one cornerback James Bradberry, and multiple defensive linemen, opting for the free agency. And adding David could keep the skilled Eagles’ defense intact.

The Jets are also an option. However, Lavonte would prefer Gang Green to acquire Aaron Rodgers. Having already played with one legendary Super Bowl QB in Brady, David wouldn’t pass on joining A-Rod for another ring. The Miami Dolphins, owing to its high-power offense with Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle, are also in the race. And Lavonte won’t have to move too far from his current home.

Why are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dropping their old roster?

It has to do with the -$49.1 million in cap space the Buccaneers have ahead of the March 15 free agency, the lowest in the league. Lavonte would not have liked a lower-pay restructured contract after his years of service. However, Buccaneers GM Jason Licht hopes for David to consider a return. “He is one of the iconic players of Tampa Bay. He will always be a Buccaneer and it is still not out of the realm of possibility that he could be playing for us next year,” he said during the Combine.

Other than Lavonte and Tom Brady, safety Logan Ryan, WR Scotty Miller, cornerback James Dean, safety Mike Edwards, OLB Genard Avery, tight end Kyle Rudolph, and running back Giovani Bernard are some of the names on the long list of unrestricted free agents. Linebacker Cam Gill remains on the restricted list.

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Backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert also falls under the unrestricted free agents. And if he ends up leaving, the franchise either has to make do with Kyle Trask or get someone reliable soon. Either way, they needed to free up capital. And this situation seems to be a win-win for both the Bucs and Lavonte David.