For the last 13 years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had one very distinct advantage every time their defense went out on the field. That advantage’s name is Lavonte David.

With David back in the fold for another season on a 1-year, $9 million contract, Tampa Bay can count on the 35-year-old inside linebacker to do what he’s done for the entirety of his career. Which is to make plays at an elite level.

What they haven’t been able to count on is any consistency the other inside linebacker spot, where K.J. Britt hurt the Buccaneers more than he helped them in 2024 and signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins on March 13. The next option is third year linebacker SirVocea Dennis, who has been impressive in limited action but has struggled to stay healthy and missed 17 games over his first 2 seasons, including 13 games in 2024.

While the Buccaneers hope shoulder surgery has fixed an issue Dennis has been dealing with back to his college days at the University of Pittsburgh, that’s not a gamble a Super Bowl contender should take. Which is why the Buccaneers should look to sign a moderately priced free agent like 2-time Super Bowl champion Willie Gay, who is a free agent after one season with the New Orleans Saints.

Gay, who is only 26 years old, spent the first 4 seasons of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was a full-time starter on back-to-back Super Bowl-winning teams in 2022 and 2023.