Wednesday afternoon introduced Bucs followers the information they’ve been longing to listen to this offseason, as experiences have emerged that the crew is re-signing fan favourite linebacker Lavonte David to a one-year, $7 million deal. NFL Insider Josina Anderson was first to report the information, whereas NFL Community’s High Pelissero was on high of the contract particulars.
Lavonte David Returns For Yr 12 With The Bucs
David has grow to be a staple of the Bucs protection because the crew chosen him 58th total within the second spherical of the 2012 NFL Draft. He’s extensively considered one of many three-to-four greatest off-ball linebackers of the previous 10 years and confirmed no indicators of slowing down in 2022 as he accrued 124 mixed tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 5 passes defensed, one pressured fumble and three sacks.
Bucs LB Lavonte David – Picture by: USA Immediately
Along with these counting stats, David continued his monitor report of enjoying at a excessive degree in move protection. His Professional Soccer Focus grade in protection for the 12 months was an impressive 88.5, which was second within the NFL behind solely Germaine Pratt of the Bengals.
Plus, his capability to cowl giant swaths of the center of the sphere allowed fellow linebacker Devin White to play extra downfield as a focused missile. David’s total PFF grade was an 84.1, which ranked third within the NFL above different star gamers like Fred Warner, Demario Davis and Roquan Smith.
David has been a frontrunner on the Bucs protection, working at a excessive degree all through his profession working underneath a number of defensive coordinators. Together with his re-signing, David helps to solidify the center of a rapidly altering protection that had 5 starters set to hit free company. His re-signing additionally locks up PFF’s No. 5 total free agent in 2023.
Since they have been in a position to come to an settlement previous to the brand new league 12 months, which begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday, it is going to have an added cap profit. David’s earlier deal was structured with three void years that will have left the crew with a $6.855 million lifeless cap hit this 12 months. This permits the Bucs to push $4.57 million of that prorated signing bonus into 2024.
Most importantly, this retains a future Bucs Ring of Honor member in Tampa Bay for yet another 12 months and strikes David nearer to ending his profession in Tampa Bay the place he began. Over the course of his profession, David has accrued 1,346 tackles, 143 tackles for a loss, 59 passes defensed, 12 interceptions, 29 sacks, 27 pressured fumbles and 18 fumbles recovered.
