The opportunity of re-signing Lavonte David or most of the different pending free brokers was all the time going to tough this offseason. Whereas nothing has been dominated out but, David could have simply began taking his first steps in one other route.
In keeping with Ian Rapoport of the NFL Community, David goes to check out free company subsequent week. Though that doesn’t cease him from coming again to Tampa, Rapoport described the chance as “difficult.”
Lengthy-time nice #Bucs LB Lavonte David, coming off one in every of his best seasons, is anticipated to check the free agent market, supply stated. A return to Tampa Bay has not been dominated out, however given their cap state of affairs, it is going to be difficult.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2023
The Dilemma Between Lavonte David And The Bucs Isn’t Simple To Remedy
Bucs LB Lavonte David – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Outdoors of cornerback Jamel Dean, David is the most-needed defensive participant that the Bucs would really like again on the roster subsequent season. The issue is, with the Bucs being $56 million over the wage cap earlier this week earlier than Donovan Smith’s launch, the one actuality wherein David returns is that if he will get a smaller deal than the one he had when he signed a two-year, $25 million deal after the 2020 season.
For this reason David testing the market. He needs to gauge how a lot he’s value at age 33.
The easiest way for Tampa Bay to get him again could be for the veteran linebacker’s market to not be a really perfect as he thought it will be when he examined the waters. He’s not the one inside linebacker out there, as Bobby Wagner can be a free agent, so he doesn’t management the market.
The opposite wrench on this entire plan is that the Bucs could have a lifeless cap hit of $6.85 million if David makes it previous the primary week of the authorized tampering interval. That additional makes it more durable for the Bucs to signal anybody, not to mention David.
Bucs GM Jason Licht – Picture by: Matt Matera/PR
David and the Bucs nonetheless have a mutual curiosity and he has stated earlier than that he’d “love” to retire a Buccaneer. The truth although is that it’s in David’s arms and if there’s a greater deal or an opportunity to a play with a workforce that’s extra of a Tremendous Bowl contender subsequent season, it’s onerous responsible him for taking that possibility.
Basic supervisor Jason Licht gave nice reward to the long-tenured Buc whereas talking on the NFL Scouting Mix and didn’t say no to a return.
“He’s one of many iconic gamers of Tampa Bay and can all the time be a Buccaneer,” Licht stated. “It’s nonetheless not out of the realm of risk that he’d be enjoying for us subsequent yr. It takes two to comply with it. We’ll see how that unfolds, however he’s an superior participant.”
In his 11 years in Tampa Bay, David was one of many best defensive gamers in Bucs historical past. The door isn’t all the best way closed, however both sides may need to show the web page to a brand new chapter.
