Lavonte David has been in the league for more than a decade. The linebacker has been a staple for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers through the franchise’s highs and lows for the past 13 seasons. He has seen the league change significantly over time, but his level of play remains high.
Lavonte David Labels NFL a ‘No Fun League’ Amid Surge of Defensive Flags
There has been an emphasis on protecting quarterbacks since the start of the past decade. The NFL has shifted into more of a passing league, with quarterbacks treated as a premium. As a result, the league has seen more flags thrown on defensive players, and some hits that were common in the previous century are now considered illegal.
Speaking to Jordan Schultz in an interview, David noted how the league has changed drastically in that regard, using the familiar term “No Fun League” to describe how he currently views the game:
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“I feel like they’re just taking the fun out of the game. Just let us play the game, man. Let us be us. They say it’s almost the ‘No Fun League.’ You still find ways to have fun with the game. I’ll never not love the game of football, but it’s just certain areas that I wish they could just kind of, like, ease up on.”
3× #Bucs All-Pro LB Lavonte David discusses the NFL’s rule changes and why the “No Fun League” has made life especially challenging for defensive players: pic.twitter.com/R7eYOHFYQE
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 1, 2026
David was a second-round pick (No. 58 overall) out of Nebraska in 2012. He has been a constant presence for the Buccaneers since his rookie season, and his production remains impressive. He earned All-Pro honors in 2013, 2016, and 2020 and received a Pro Bowl selection in 2015. He was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in his first season.
At 36, he continues to be an important piece for the Buccaneers. Todd Bowles started him in every game in 2025, and he earned a 70.5 Impact Score in PFSN’s LB Impact Metric, ranking No. 51 for the season. His best year came in 2023, when he ranked No. 1 in the metric with a 98.3 score.
It remains to be seen whether he will return to Tampa Bay in 2026. He has made no official announcement about his future or whether he will consider retirement. A Super Bowl champion in 2020, David will be a free agent in March, and it is unlikely he would play for another team if he does not sign a new deal with the Buccaneers.
