Lavonte David is back in Tampa Bay for a 14th season to chase another Super Bowl ring.
David's sixth new contract with the Bucs underscores the ability of general manager Jason Licht to keep his core intact throughout the years despite attrition elsewhere. The 35-year-old said it speaks to the type of leadership within the organization.
"I think it's incredible, man," David said of players wanting to return to Tampa, via the club’s official website. "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 it 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."
Licht pulled off one of the biggest coups of the offseason, getting receiver Chris Godwin to return for a significant hometown discount. The wideout mentioned the familial aspect of the organization as one reason he didn't want to uproot his family.
For David, the relationship with the front office makes Tampa different from other clubs.
"They want to play for this organization -- an organization like that -- and it just becomes a mutual respect thing," David said. "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."
David noted that following the Bucs' fifth consecutive playoff appearance, he still had to decide whether he would return or retire. After a down season, by his standards, which concluded with a postseason injury, the veteran said knowing the club he'd return to made the decision easier.
"Can I still uphold the standard that I've made for myself when I play the game?" David said. "This year, it took longer than usual, just because, unfortunately, at the end of the playoff game, I was injured, so I had to make sure I healed from that and [see] how serious it was and go from there. Having people by my side who still believe in me and believe in my ability -- obviously teammates, people who I've built relationships [with] throughout playing this game -- and then getting a little encouragement and motivation from them and stuff like that.
"That kind of, ultimately, led to me making that decision. For me to get going, I like to have a foundation in place, so I need to make a decision on what I want to do to be able to move forward and, get myself together and go on. I just got that extra bump [inside], saying, 'I still love the game, I still have the ability to play, I still trust myself, I still believe in myself.' Why not? Why not give it another shot?"
David's return ensures that Todd Bowles' defense will have its middle-of-the-field leader. Tampa also added Anthony Walker to the mix from Miami, with K.J. Britt moving to South Beach. The Buccaneers could still look to get younger at the position in the draft in hopes of eventually finding David's replacement.