Buccaneers icon Lavonte David made this promise to Rueben Bain Jr. after NFL Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost a locker room leader and a key defensive contributor when linebacker Lavonte David officially confirmed his retirement in March. The following month, the Buccaneers made Miami edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. the 15th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

During the latest edition of "The Set With T. Stead" podcast, David revealed that he has been in touch with Bain since the first round of this year's player-selection process wrapped up. 

Lavonte David to Rueben Bain Jr.: "Whatever you need, I got you"

"I’ll be around to talk to you, and stuff like that. Whatever you need, I got you," David said about what he told Bain, per the JoeBucsFan website. 

The New York Jets selected Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey with the draft's second overall pick, and the New York Giants later grabbed Ohio State pass-rusher Arvell Reese at choice No. 5. Meanwhile, arm-length concerns about Bain seemingly caused teams that could have used his services to pass on him before Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht happily drafted the promising prospect. 

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Bain and Bailey listed as the co-betting favorites at +500 odds to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award for the 2026 season. Reese was next on the list at +650 odds. 

Lavonte David has special reason to root for Rueben Bain Jr.

During the podcast, David shared that he believes the Buccaneers drafting Bain is an "A-plus pick." David also said that he texted Licht immediately after Tampa Bay selected Bain. 

"I've known Rueben since he was little," David added. "When I had my bookbag giveaway down here [in Miami], he used to come out and wait in line to get his bookbag. But I saw him in high school. Even though he went to my rival high school, I knew he was a great player, and you had to root for him because he was so good."

David now sounds willing to serve as a mentor for the first-round pick who could become a Defensive Player of the Year Award candidate sooner rather than later if he reaches his advertised ceiling.