The Tampa Bay Bucs are richer than they are accomplished.
The Bucs added one more big contract to their payroll Sunday afternoon when outside linebacker Lavonte David signed a five-year extension with the team. The NFL network says the deal is worth $50.25 million with $25.56 guaranteed.
David has been a standout since the team drafted him second in the 2012 draft, and he and tackle Gerald McCoy give the team a foundation in the years to come. Lovie Smith, a longtime proponent of strong defenses, faces the challenge of making the Bucs’ defense better around the two of them.
David’s contract had been discussed heavily in the off-season, and one of the team’s owners, Bryan Glazer, had said that the wanted David and McCoy in Tampa Bay uniforms for some time to come.
