Report: Browns interested in Buccaneers LB Lavonte David

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the process of making sure they can try to retain most, if not all of their free agents during the free agency period. Linebacker Lavonte David is most certainly one of them.

But if not, there are teams ready to make a pitch at Tampa Bay’s nine-year veteran when the legal tampering period begins March 15. One of those teams are the Cleveland Browns according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.

The Browns could’ve used linebacker Lavonte David to help chase down Chad Henne in the AFC divisional playoff loss to the Chiefs, but maybe he’ll be in a Browns uniform when they visit the Chiefs next season.

David, one of the hottest names set to hit the free agent market in two weeks, is on the team’s radar as they look to bolster their linebacker position, league sources tell cleveland.com.

With many other names the Buccaneers are trying to bring back, and a cap space that will be much more strapped as they begin to sign some of their own, David and others will become that much more difficult to retain.

Head coach Bruce Arians recently spoke to the media and acknowledged while they may have guys willing to restructure, he acknowledges that money could become an obstacle.

“I think we have a number of guys that would restructure if needed to be just to help the rest of the guys out,” Arians said. “Nobody’s giving up money. That’s one thing for sure. They’re just pushing it in a different direction to help the cap. We’re in great shape. Jason [Licht] and Mike Greenberg have done a great job of keeping us in a great spot that way. It always comes down to dollars and cents, but it also comes down to fit. Guys know where they fit and I think all these guys know they fit here. We’ll get the dollars right and hopefully keep this core together.”

Hopefully indeed.