NFL Free Agency 2026: Tampa Bay Buccaneers look for long term successor to $7M veteran linebacker

Just like 36-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ linebacker Lavonte David has not decided on his retirement or return. 2026 would be Kelce’s 14th season and David’s 15th season. As per Chiefs Insider, Kelce is reportedly preparing for a return. But the longtime linebacker has not yet decided whether to retire or return, leaving very little time for the franchise to look for a long-term successor to his long-held throne.ESPN’s source said that Tampa Bay wants him back but has left the ball in the veteran’s court. JoeBucsFan reports that general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles need to attack NFL free agency 2026 by next week if David plans to retire. But first, we saw an inkling of the linebacker’s return during his February appearance on the “Caps Off” podcast.“I feel good,” David said. “You know, I’m healthy. I’m happy. I’m undecided [on retiring]. I’m genuinely undecided. Like, I don’t know. I still got a lot of football left in me. I know that for sure. I still love the game. I know that for sure. The other side is that I want to spend more time with my daughter. She’s in school, so [I’ve been] taking her to school, and it’s a good feeling.”NBC Sports’ Mike Florio reports that David is at a crossroads. Even though he’s confident he can physically do it, life changes for a guy in his late 30s. Priorities change [daughter]. And football demands commitment of time, focus, and effort [something his podcast declaration also conveyed. He “wants” to spend more time with his daughter]. Florio adds that at some point, the cost of continuing could outweigh the benefit. In particular, for a guy who has made $100.5 million under six different contracts with the same franchise.According to Spotrac, David signed a 4-year rookie contract worth $3.5M in 2012, a 5-year extension worth $50M in 2015, a 2-year extension worth $25M in 2021, a 1-year extension worth $4.5M in 2023, a 1-year extension worth $8.5M in 2024, and a 1-year extension worth $9M in 2025. His career earnings are $103M.If he returns, his calculated market value is a 1-year contract worth $7.4M, with an average annual salary of $7.4M. However, as of now, he is an unrestricted free agent and recently underwent knee surgery following the 2025 season.According to Joe Bucs Fan, he may continue rehabbing in case he decides to come back. Meanwhile, the question remains: who could fill his long-worn shoes if he doesn’t return? Let’s check.ESPN’s Matt Bowen suggests David’s perfect replacement could come in the form of an underrated Detroit Lions player, Alex Anzalone. The 31-year-old linebacker is quick to key the run, and Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles is best at scheming his LBs on pressure stunts. The Buccaneers could add another productive veteran on defense in his form. He recorded 2.5 sacks and eight pass breakups in the 2025 season.Heavy Sports’ Christopher Sheppard reports that signing Anzalone as David’s successor could be a high-risk, high-reward move for the Buccaneers. He is only five years younger than Tampa Bay’s linebacker, but he has shone wherever he’s played, be it the Lions or the New Orleans Saints.As of early March 2026, he is an unrestricted free agent. This follows the closure of a 3-year, $18.75M contract with Detroit. According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, Anzalone is projected to sign a 2-year contract worth $14M, with an average annual salary of $7.3M.