Chatter Emerges Of A Lavonte David Return – JoeBucsFan.com

Joe is only sharing this because it comes from a credible source and the Bucs have a distinct pattern of engaging in this kind of activity.

So Lavonte David retired yesterday. His legendary 14-year career ended with an emotional news conference and many of his friends and family alongside him at One Buc Palace.

Hours later, a friend of Todd Bowles and a student of the NFL, ex-Bucs scout and former Jets linebackers coach and personnel chief Pat Kirwan, said on his SiriusXM NFL Radio show that he wouldn’t be surprised if David returns to play next season because he’s been so productive for so long, including last year.

No, Kirwan wasn’t high or unaware David retired.

In fact, Kirwan’s comments came after him lauding David’s underappreciated career and stats.

“Of course he could still play,” Kirwan said. “There are going to be things that are going to get tougher to do, like getting out on the slot. Now, if you’re always going to check zone, [David] could probably still do it. But if you ever wanted him to play man, that’s where things get a little rough in Year 15 of your football career. … Something tells me, Nov. 1st and the [Bucs] are out of linebackers, they call the old man, he shows up.”

Keep in mind Bowles is a regular in-season guest on Kirwan’s show.

Six weeks ago, David said, “I got a lot of football left in me,” and yesterday David did not say his body was done, only that he no longer had motivation to play.

What if that changes?

Joe considers David retired, but David is still human and in love with the game of football. In desperation moves in each of the past two seasons, the Bucs signed Shaq Barrett (2024) and Jason Pierre-Paul (2025). So please don’t tell Joe that David finding his way back onto the 2026 roster is ridiculous.

Heck, the Bucs brought back Tom Brady after he retired and did his best to break his Bucs contract so he could play for the Dolphins.