American Football
Lavonte David retirement: How the Buccaneers will replace a legend
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers knew Lavonte David's retirement was in the offing. The veteran linebacker had mulled over the prospect each of the last two years, and at 36, the timing felt right this time around.
All the same, when David made it official, the news hit hard.
David was a 12-year captain, a Super Bowl LV champion and the longest-serving player on the roster. His exit leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the Tampa Bay defense.
Here, we look at what the Buccaneers are losing and how they plan to fill the void.
The legend of Lavonte David
The stats tell the story.
Since entering the league in 2012, David ranked first among all players in solo tackles (1,171), while his 177 tackles for loss ranked second.
He is one of just three players to record 40-plus sacks and 35-plus takeaways, alongside Pro Football Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher.
He also retires as the Buccaneers' all-time leader in forced fumbles (33), fumble recoveries (20) and tackles for loss.
But raw numbers only make up a small part of the bigger picture for a player who performed at an incredible level, and for so long.
Per PFF, David ranks fourth among all linebackers with a 90.1 career grade, a figure buoyed by his dominance in pass coverage.
Former teammates have been quick to pay tribute.
Tom Brady, who won Super Bowl LV alongside David, shared an emotional message on social media.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who spent the last three years with David in Tampa Bay, shared Brady's sentiment.
Who steps in to replace David?
The Buccaneers had been planning for this moment. But in a scheme that employs two every-down linebackers, Tampa will need at least two of these options to step up.
Alex Anzalone
Two weeks before David's announcement, the team signed veteran inside linebacker Alex Anzalone as a free agent.
The 32-year-old arrived on a two-year deal worth $8.5 million per season, bringing valuable experience and the kind of veteran leadership that will be crucial in David's absence.
A rare example of a player who has improved with age, Anzalone brings a well-rounded skillset. He lacks top-tier athleticism, but he still has more than enough left in the tank to help Tampa's defense in 2026.
Christian Rozeboom
The day before David officially confirmed his retirement, Tampa Bay added Christian Rozeboom, a two-year starter with the Carolina Panthers.
Among the more productive linebackers in recent seasons, Rozeboom has eclipsed 120 tackles in each of the past two years.
That volume is impressive, but Rozeboom struggles in run defense and defending the pass suggesting he is best suited to a depth role.
That may well be Tampa Bay's intention, having given the 29-year-old a modest one-year, $2.5 million deal.
SirVocea Dennis
Dennis broke out in 2025, logging 909 defensive snaps and posting career-best numbers across the board.
He recorded at least seven tackles on 10 occasions, finishing the season with 99 tackles, 3.0 sacks and an interception across 15 games.
Coach Bowles has been candid about Dennis' development, noting he "gave up some things in the pass game " in his first full year as a starter.
Dennis spent his formative NFL years learning directly from David, whom he once described as "the best linebacker in the game."
Now, with his mentor gone, it falls on him to step out of that shadow, with Anzalone and Rozeboom providing experience and depth around him.
Draft David's replacement?
It is possible Tampa Bay looks to the draft for David's long-term replacement. However, at pick No. 15, the top linebacker in the 2026 pool - Sonny Styles - will almost certainly be long gone.
Behind Styles, there are no linebackers who warrant a top-half first-round selection. GM Jason Licht may instead look to spend a Day 2 pick on the likes of Georgia's CJ Allen, Texas' Anthony Hill or Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez.
