Report: Buccaneers, David reach 2-year extension worth $25M

The Buccaneers' longest-tenured player is remaining in Tampa Bay.

The Bucs agreed to a two-year contract extension with veteran linebacker Lavonte David worth $25 million, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The contract includes $20 million guaranteed, adds Rapoport.

The 31-year-old defensive captain has been with the Bucs since being selected in the second round of the 2012 draft. After eight seasons without reaching the playoffs, David helped lead Tampa Bay to a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

At the team's championship parade, head coach Bruce Arians said that David and fellow impending free agents Chris Godwin, Shaq Barrett, and Ndamukong Suh "ain't going nowhere."

The Buccaneers used their franchise tag on Godwin on Tuesday to keep the receiver for the 2021 season. Tampa is also reportedly in extension talks with Barrett.

David's deal is truly a five-year contract with three voidable years to reduce his 2021 cap hit to $3.5 million, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Such measures should help the Bucs' ability to re-sign other parts of their championship core.

David was named a second-team All-Pro in 2020 after recording 117 total tackles, three forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception. He ranks third in Buccaneers franchise history in solo tackles, behind only Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber.

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