Lavonte David retires after 14 seasons with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The sea change for the 2026Tampa Bay Buccaneerscontinues to wash over the franchise.

Longtime linebacker and defensive captainLavonte David, 36, became the latest Buc to debark, announcinghis retirement March 24and bringing a standout 14-year career to an end.

"I feel it's time to move on and find a different path in life," said David, who thanked his family extensively − particularly his late mother − in an often-tearful goodbye press conference.

"I'll always be a Buccaneer. Bucs for life."

David plans to focus on fatherhood and raising his young daughter in the near term. He may look for opportunities in broadcasting, scouting or coaching in the future.

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" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

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OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)

"Lavonte's mark on our franchise could never be overstated,"Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht said in a statement.

"For the entirety of his 14-year career, Lavonte set the standard for professionalism, leadership, and consistency. He embodies everything that it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer and he is undoubtedly one of the best players to ever put on this uniform.

"His contributions to our franchise, to his teammates and to this community will leave an impact far beyond his playing years."

Selected out of Nebraska in the second round of the 2012NFLdraft − pre-dating the Bucs' horrid alarm clock font uniforms by two years for added context − David spent his entire career in Tampa, earning first- or second-team All-Pro honors three times. He was a mainstay for the Super Bowl 55 champions, who won the Lombardi Trophy as a wild-card entry with Tom Brady in 2020, before winning four consecutive NFC South crowns − that streak coming to an end on the final weekend of the 2025 regular season.

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Lavonte David stats

David played and started in 225 games, postseason included, for Tampa Bay. His 1,714 career tackles are tied with Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks for the club record. Only Hall of Fame defensive back Ronde Barber has played more seasons (16) for the franchise.

David also accumulated 42½ career sacks from his off-ball position, forced 33 fumbles and intercepted 14 passes. He's a shoo-in for theBucs' Ring of Honor, and don't be surprised if no player wears No. 54 in Tampa Bay again − David's jersey number subbing in as the team's social media avatar Tuesday.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will likely be a much longer shot for David but isn't out of the question, either. The Glazer family, which owns theBuccaneers, thanked him in a statement and said the club will "look forward to honoring his Hall of Fame-worthy achievements in the near future."

'They wouldn't let me go'

David becomes the latest high-profile departure after perennial Pro Bowler Mike Evans' decision to sign with the San Francisco 49ers during free agency hit the franchise hard − Licht describing himself "in mourning" over the loss. Cornerback Jamel Dean, who was drafted by the Bucs in 2019 and was a starter for the Super Bowl team, left for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"They wouldn't let me go," David cracked when asked why he never left Tampa, especially in the much leaner pre-Brady years. "I built so many great relationships here.

"I couldn't just up and leave. I started the battle, I wanted to finish the battle. ... Sticking with what you started with takes you a long way."

David's exit was somewhat signaled by the signings of linebackers Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom this month. But it's the latest significant change for a roster Licht has largely built through the draft while consistently re-signing his cornerstone players − Evans being his first draft pick as the GM in 2014.

After losing their divisional throne on a wonky tiebreaker last season, the Bucs move forward with quarterback Baker Mayfield, coach Todd Bowles and a generally younger squad that should be further upgraded by the 15th and 46th picks of April's draft.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Lavonte David retires after 14 seasons with Tampa Bay Buccaneers