On Monday morning, Lavonte David visited the AdventHealth Training Center – his place of work for going on 14 years – in order to sign a new contract to which he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had agreed 10 days earlier. It was a familiar exercise for him, as was the following press conference in which he was asked to explain his motivations for coming back for another season.
This is, in fact, the sixth new deal that David has signed with the only NFL team he has owned. That started with the standard four-year deal after he was drafted in the second round in 2012, and was followed by a five year extension that extended through the 2020 season. A two-year deal followed and now David will be working on his third straight one-year pact. Six different times he's gone through the process of putting ink to paper, first to join with the team and then repeatedly remain a Buccaneer.
Something has been impressed on David, now very clearly one of the franchise's all-time greats, during that repeated process: Through the years and in particular during this decade of on-field success, the Buccaneers organization and its core players have fostered an atmosphere of mutual respect. David pointed ot the multiple times that players like himself, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – among others – have eschewed a shot at see what multitudes the free agent market might present them to return to their original team. Most recently, Godwin left what all have agreed were more lucrative offers on the table in order to stay home.
"I think it's incredible, man," said David of this pattern on Monday. "I don't know if that's talked about enough. [The Buccaneers] have been loyal to their guys – a lot of organizations aren't like that. For those guys to be transparent with us and have that back-and-forth communication about how important they feel we are to them and how much we want to be back and play for this city, I think that's incredible. For everybody to just get on board and get on the same page and make things happen ASAP, that's really underrated. I don't think it's talked about enough. That just goes to show how much they believe in the guys they bring in. I think is a testament from the ownership all the way down. They want their guys, they believe in their guys, and they're going to stick with us."
David's 14th season in 2025 will tie him with Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks – the gold standard for Buccaneer linebackers – for the second most in team history. The only player with more is Hall of Fame cornerback Rondé Barber, with 16. David says that younger players see the team's focus on believing in and rewarding its own, and that provides them with extra organization as their own careers progress.
View images from the Bucs Cruise from March 7th to March 10th, 2025.
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Gene Deckerhoff signs autographs during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Buccaneers Legend Mike Alstott, Cornerback Jamel Dean #35, Guard Cody Mauch #69, Center Graham Barton #62, Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94, Defensive Lineman William Gholston #92 and Safety Christian Izien #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Guard Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with fans during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders with fans during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders, Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford with fans during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Buccaneers Legend Dave Moore during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Guard Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Sail Away party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Buccaneers Legend Richard Wood during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Guard Cody Mauch #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Buccaneers Legend Richard Wood, Buccaneers Legend Jimmie Giles, Buccaneers Legend Dave Moore and Buccaneers Legend Mike Alstott with Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders with fans during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders with fans during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Entertainment during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders with fans during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Entertainment during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders, Captain Fear, Guard Luke Goedeke #67 and Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with fans during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Keel and Curley activation during the Early Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - O-Town performs during the Late Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Late Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Late Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Late Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Defensive Lineman William Gholston #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Late Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Late Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Fans during the Late Cocktail party on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Dunkin' Donuts before departing for Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 07, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders and Tight End Payne Durham #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Dunkin' Donuts before departing for Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Gene Deckerhoff and Buccaneers Legend Derrick Brooks during the Alumni Panel on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Gene Deckerhoff and Buccaneers Legend Derrick Brooks during the Alumni Panel on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during the Alumni Panel on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Buccaneers Legend Brad Johnson, Buccaneers Legend Derrick Brooks, and Gene Deckerhoff during the Alumni Panel on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Buccaneers Legend Brad Johnson, Buccaneers Legend Derrick Brooks, and Gene Deckerhoff during the Alumni Panel on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during the Alumni Panel on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Buccaneers Legend Brad Johnson, Buccaneers Legend Derrick Brooks, and Gene Deckerhoff during the Alumni Panel on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Buccaneers Legend Mike Alstott and Gene Deckerhoff during the Alumni Panel on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Buccaneers Legend Mike Alstott and Gene Deckerhoff during the Alumni Panel on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Water Volleyball on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Water Volleyball on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Water Volleyball on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Water Volleyball on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Water Volleyball on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Guard Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Water Volleyball on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Captain Fear during Water Volleyball on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Defensive Lineman William Gholston #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Water Volleyball on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Water Volleyball on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Water Volleyball on the Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Walk the Plank Game show on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Walk the Plank Game show on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Walk the Plank Game show on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Walk the Plank Game show on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Walk the Plank Game show on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Silent Gasparilla Disco on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Silent Gasparilla Disco on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Silent Gasparilla Disco on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Silent Gasparilla Disco on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Silent Gasparilla Disco on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Silent Gasparilla Disco on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Silent Gasparilla Disco on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Silent Gasparilla Disco on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 08, 2025 - Fans during Silent Gasparilla Disco on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Family Feud Game Show hosted by Casey Phillips on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Family Feud Game Show on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Family Feud Game Show on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Team Reporter Casey Phillips Family Feud Game Show on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Defensive Lineman William Gholston #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Family Feud Game Show on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Buccaneers Legend Jimmie Giles, Cornerback Jamel Dean #35, Safety Christian Izien #29, Guard Cody Mauch #69 and Defensive Lineman William Gholston #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Family Feud Game Show on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Team Reporter Casey Phillips, Cornerback Jamel Dean #35, Defensive Lineman William Gholston #92, Guard Cody Mauch #69, Center Graham Barton #62 and Guard Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Current Player Panel on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Team Reporter Casey Phillips, Cornerback Jamel Dean #35, Defensive Lineman William Gholston #92, Guard Cody Mauch #69, Center Graham Barton #62 and Guard Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Current Player Panel on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Team Reporter Casey Phillips during the Current Player Panel on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during the Current Player Panel on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Center Graham Barton #62 and Guard Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Current Player Panel on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Captain Fear with fans during Early Cocktail Party on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders with fans during Early Cocktail Party on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders with fans during Early Cocktail Party on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford with fans during Early Cocktail Party on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Early Cocktail Party on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Defensive Lineman William Gholston #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Early Cocktail Party on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Captain Fear with fans during Early Cocktail Party on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford with fans during Early Cocktail Party on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Bucs Trivia on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Gene Deckerhoff and Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford with fans during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders with fans during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with fans during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Buccaneers Legend Jimmie Giles, Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford and Buccaneers Legend Richard Wood during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Cocktail Party Late on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Captain Fear during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Captain Fear and fans during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Captain Fear during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Captain Fear during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - O-Town performs during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - O-Town performs during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - O-Town performs during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - March 09, 2025 - Fans during Bucs on Deck Pajama Party Featuring O-Town on Buccaneers Cruise. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"They want to play for this organization – an organization like that – and it just becomes a mutual respect thing," said David. "The thing that I really like and respect is when you hear about other organizations and how people always have these situations where they're not really close with their [general manager] and not really having that back-and-forth conversation with those guys. It's the complete opposite here. I haven't had the chance to experience it anywhere else, but you don't see it like that. For me to really go through and experience it and have back-and-forth conversations where you hear [about] different places. It's really, really great to be a part of and it makes you want to stay."
The Buccaneers have won four straight NFC South Division titles and have made the playoffs five years in a row, both the longest streaks in franchise history. There was also a Super Bowl championship in that span in 2020, which came on the heels of eight straight non-playoff seasons to begin David's career. There's little doubt that this franchise turnaround has made David's NFL life more satisfying, but he says that is not what has been bringing him back year after year since the turn of the decade. He said he weighed a lot of factors in his decision this winter – big among them whether he still had the same love for playing the game and whether he still trusted himself to be able to play up to his usual standards – but last year's 10-7 record wasn't one of them.
"It's a team game," said David. "I always believe in the people that we have in the locker room. At the same time, I kind of think about, can I contribute more into that? Even if we came off a 6-11 year, maybe I'd feel like, 'Okay, I can be better at this [aspect],' and then that 6-11 could turn around to a better record. So, I don't really think about that part. If I did think about that, I'd probably have been gone a long time ago. I just think about my ability and seeing what I can do."
Of course, that the Bucs have won a lot of games in recent seasons and have worked hard to keep the players that made that possible certainly makes the situation he's returning to in 2025 more exciting.
"Luckily, we didn't come off a 6-11 [record] and luckily, we have some great football players in this locker room and that also added to my decision," said David. "Having these guys and seeing Chris come back was great to see, amazing to see. Then, adding people and just being in the locker room all the time, just seeing what those guys bring to the table make me motivated even more."
