As the start of free agency inches closer, a return to the past becomes all the more real for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The last few years have been a nice change with the team in the limelight and successful, but all good things have to come to an end at some point.

Dynasty windows close. Players retire. Free agents leave. 

This is all a natural part of the cyclic nature of the game, but even knowing that truth isn't enough to soften the blow that Buccaneers fans will feel when they see the recent news about Lavonte David testing free agency from Ian Rapoport.

Long-time great #Bucs LB Lavonte David, coming off one of his most productive seasons, is expected to test the free agent market, source said. A return to Tampa Bay has not been ruled out, but given their cap situation, it will be challenging.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2023

While nothing is off the table yet, including a return to Tampa, this is not great news for a team that has already lost the face of its offense with the retirement of Tom Brady.

One has to assume that there are a lot of other teams out there with a better shot to compete and more cap flexibility, and all of those other options have to seem better than staying with a team that is on the verge of a major rebuild and way over the cap.

Tampa just doesn't have the resources to compete with most other teams. Already over the cap, the Bucs have to recognize that this season will be an uphill climb, and finding a way to clear the books this season will go a long way towards creating a light at the end of the tunnel.

Getting David back for one season would be easy with a signing bonus. Still, the long-term impact from a backloaded contract hurts the franchise more than it helps in the short term.

The team may be able to figure something out, but Buccaneers fans need to start preparing for the worst.