Baker Mayfield had a disappointing 2025 NFL season. After going 8-9 and finishing in second place in the NFC South during the regular season, Tampa Bay missed the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Despite that, Mayfield was impressive on an individual level. The former Oklahoma Sooner started all 17 games, completing 343-of-543 passes for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 90.6 passer rating. He also rushed for 382 yards and one touchdown.
With one season left on his three-year, $100 million contract, the quarterback is looking to lead Tampa Bay to their third Super Bowl. However, Mayfield and the Buccaneers will be without one of their top veterans.
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After a collegiate career with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, linebacker Lavonte David was selected by the Buccaneers with the No. 58 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He's spent his entire 14-year career in Tampa Bay, earning one Pro Bowl nod and one First-Team All-Pro selection.
He was integral to the team's Super Bowl LV win to end the 2020 season. That year, he started 16 regular-season games and all four playoff matchups. However, with his contract expiring after the 2025 season, David announced on Tuesday that he would be retiring from the NFL.
Mayfield quickly took notice of the decision, dedicating an entire Instagram post to his now former teammate.
"Thank you LD for being an incredible leader and presence in my life," Mayfield wrote. "Got to watch and respect your game from afar for years…Then when I got to Tampa, I quickly realized you’re an even better man than the Hall of Fame player you have been for 14 years. Hell of a career and blessed to call you a friend. Always in your corner Old Man."
David ends his 14-year career in the NFL, totalling 1,716 tackles, 177 tackles for loss, 42.5 sacks, 21 fumble recoveries, 33 forced fumbles, 73 pass deflections and 14 interceptions. The tackles for loss, fumble recoveries and forced fumbles are all franchise records.
