Lavonte David and Bobby Wagner have long been inseparable due to the parallels in their playing careers.

Both are entering their 13th NFL season after being selected in the second round in 2012.

Both have attached different meanings to the number 54 they have worn while amassing many tackles each year.

Both are entering their seasons on one-year contracts at age 34 and are also preparing for a possible final clash of opposing defenses when the Bucs face the Commanders in the regular season opener on Sunday afternoon.

Lavonte David and Bobby Wagner both remain highly productive

If you think long and hard about the best inside linebackers of the 21st century, Lavonte David and Bobby Wagner are the two that come quickly. In every decade, a few stand out.

Bucs legend Derrick Brooks and his Hall of Fame colleagues Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher and Zack Thomas were among the best in the 2000s.

In the 2010s, David and Wagner were joined by players like Luke Kuechly and Patrick Willis as some of the best linebackers in the game.

But perhaps most telling is that both are still highly productive in 2024 and are among the last survivors of their generation. David turned back the clock in several statistical categories last year, moving and playing more like he did in 2015, his only Pro Bowl season. Wagner set a career high with 183 total tackles last year and continues to garner accolades.

While this may draw the ire of Tampa Bay residents, neither has slowed down drastically or ended their careers, making Sunday’s encounter nostalgic.

Often times, the last matchup between quarterbacks is viewed as the central element, such as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. What goes unnoticed or flies under the radar are the quarterbacks on defense.

David has long held this role with the Bucs and plays what head coach Todd Bowles described as “timeless” football after last season. Many know the influence and value he has had on the organization for a long time, even though it is underestimated on the outside.

Before Week 1, however, Bowles, quarterback Baker Mayfield and inside linebacker KJ Britt discussed Wagner’s role as captain of his defense and his influence.

Several Bucs respect Bobby Wagner’s game, including “close friend” Lavonte David

The Bucs press conferences on Wednesday were “exciting,” However, the offense will not be happy to face a newly formed Commanders defense, in which Bobby Wagner in particular stands out as a new addition.

Despite drafting defensive tackle Johnny Newton and cornerback Mike Sainristil in the second round, the team knows what to expect from the experienced Wagner.

“In addition to his playmaking ability, he is also extremely intelligent,” said head coach Todd Bowles. “There is probably no offensive play he hasn’t seen or analyzed. He can really instill confidence in a defense through his communication and the way he plays.”

Quarterback Baker Mayfield is familiar with some of the Commanders’ offseason signings.

During his turbulent 2022 season, he was teammates with safety Jeremy Chinn and linebacker Frankie Luvu on the Panthers and briefly with Wagner during their respective stints with the Rams. To him, the nine-time Pro Bowler is the same player he always was.

“Bobby Wagner is — a legend,” Mayfield said. “He’s a seasoned veteran, he’s seen every kind of play. You can tell by his play recognition. People can talk about his age, but I’m pretty sure he led the league in tackles last year, so I don’t think he’s lost his step.”

From an inside linebacker’s perspective, KJ Britt is almost the same size and weight as Wagner at 6’0″ and 230 pounds. Britt has been watching him for some time and respects his size, just as he does when playing alongside Lavonte David.

“Bobby is someone I’ve always looked up to, even back in the Legion of Boom,” Britt told Pewter Report. “(He) was a great player in this league, just like Lavonte. Hall of Fame caliber. That’s part of this league, you’re going to play against some great players, and he’s one of them.”

David even chimed in and said he would see his close friend on Thursday.

“Bobby is a very close friend of mine,” David said. “We always stay in touch with each other. You know, a lot of people might not know, but we were roommates at the Senior Bowl. (We) were on the same Senior Bowl team and since that day we’ve been close friends and stuff. Bobby is a really good friend of mine. We’ve obviously followed each other’s careers and we keep our fingers crossed for each other. So I’m sure, knowing Bobby, he’ll be at his best on Sunday. He’ll be ready and that goes for me, too.”

Don’t forget Lavonte David in this conversation

All the talk about Bobby Wagner is only half the story.

Lavonte David is still a very productive player in his own right, even if the career accolades don’t match up. Playing for the Seahawks’ vaunted defense boosted Wagner’s notoriety at a time when David had yet to play in a playoff game.

This has led to an unfair perception of the quality of each inside linebacker, as one has nine Pro Bowls and another has only one. While one has a Hall of Fame resume, the other likely won’t get the support he needs to make it in Canton, Ohio.

As David prepares for another year in red and pewter, he still sees himself as one of the best of the best.

“I feel like every time I step on the field, I’m one of the best on the field,” said David during an appearance on Ari Meirov’s “NFL Spotlight” podcast in July.

David continued.

“As you get older, you get wiser and you hear it more and more. You think, ‘Yeah, you guys are right – I’m underrated.’ My name should be called a lot more in this game. But at the end of the day, I’m having fun, I’m happy, I love the game of football and I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving the game of football. Just having fun out there, building relationships with teammates and coaches and things like that. The recognition you get comes when it comes. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I’m grateful for every time I’ve stepped on the field.”

Sunday afternoon marks another season in which Lavonte David and Bobby Wagner take the field. While they are just wrapping up their NFL careers, it could be the last time they face each other. It’s not the greatest storyline, but it’s an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the greatness of two of the best inside linebackers of all time.

Bobby Wagner vs. Lavonte David Tale Stats Comparison

Commander ILB Bobby Wagner

Tackles: 1,706 (996 alone)
Tackles with loss: 89
Bags: 33
Forced fumble: 6
Fumble recoveries: 10
Pass interruptions: 68
Interceptions: 13
Defensive touchdowns: 4
Fuses: 1

Bucs ILB Lavonte David

Tackles: 1,480 (1,035 alone)
Tackles with loss: 160
Sacks: 33.5
Forced fumble: 28
Fumble recoveries: 18
Pass interruptions: 64
Interceptions: 12
Defensive touchdowns: 3
Fuses: 1