Jason Licht Is Signed For 2019
August 1st, 2018
Bucs GM Jason Licht
BY IRA KAUFMAN
The overseeer of five drafts as general manager of the Buccaneers, Jason Licht has been rewarded by ownership with a contract for a sixth season.
Multiple sources confirm that Licht now has a deal in place to remain with Tampa Bay at least through 2019.
At the NFL owners meetings in March, Bucs co-owner Joel Glazer lauded the infusion of young talent Licht has stockpiled.
“I think one of the positive signs in any situation is re-signing your own players,” Glazer said. “And when you start getting on a trend that you’re re-signing your own players, that means you are drafting well. If you’re drafting well, generally that means you’re going to start having success.
“So you saw Cameron Brate and Mike Evans [re-signed]. We got a couple of young guys with contracts that are coming up that we know we’re going to want to keep. So that to me is the most positive sign of, you know, what’s happening with the general manager.”
Licht, 47, replaced Mark Dominik as GM in 2014, a few weeks after Lovie Smith was named head coach. In his first draft as head of football operations, Licht selected Evans, who has posted at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four pro seasons.
In 2015, the Bucs drafted four starters — Jameis Winston, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet and Kwon Alexander. When Lovie Smith was dismissed at the end of that season, the Glazers entrusted Licht to oversee the head coaching search and Dirk Koetter was promoted from offensive coordinator.
The 2017 haul includes O.J. Howard, Justin Evans, Chris Godwin and Kendell Beckwith. All four played prominent roles as rookies.
“Jason Licht was a big influence in my career,” says Lions GM Bob Quinn, who worked with Licht in New England. “What Jason instilled in me was hard work, continuing to look for different attributes of a player, whether they can fit your scheme or not. When he got his opportunity as a GM, I knew he would be successful.”
Now in his 40th year covering the NFL, Ira Kaufman is the most revered sports personality and writer in the Tampa Bay area. He scored a full-time seat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters in July of 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also hear Ira on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio Wednesdays at 5 p.m. during football season. Also a TV star, see Ira now on Mondays at 10:30 p.m. on Spectrum Sports 360 (aka BayNews 9). Ira also is part of the FOX-13 Tailgate Sunday NFL show and enjoys beet salads, Riesling, tennis, Chiefs victories and needling Joe.
August 1st, 2018 at 9:02 am
Jason is working with the Russians and has compromising video of the GLAZERS
August 1st, 2018 at 9:08 am
Had his fair share of duds. But hard to argue the amount of talent hes drafted.
August 1st, 2018 at 9:08 am
Dont let his 5% success rate on FAs or blowing an entire draft class as well as that losing record by his name allow him another year to bury the bucs even more
August 1st, 2018 at 9:16 am
Smart move by the Glazers
August 1st, 2018 at 9:18 am
Licht deserves this one year extension. Glazers are playing it smart with this decision. It is plainly obvious to see that.
August 1st, 2018 at 9:18 am
What, no mention of the 2016 draft selections? I wonder why…
August 1st, 2018 at 9:22 am
Yup go 22-42 and you get rewarded with a years extension. Only the Bucs!!
August 1st, 2018 at 9:27 am
Dusty: what about the undrafted players licht has brought in? Don’t those count for anything?
D Rome: while it’s not looking great, hard to officially grade a draft after only 2 seasons.
August 1st, 2018 at 9:29 am
Licht must have compromising photos of Joel and Bryan.
August 1st, 2018 at 9:31 am
licht deserved it…..he’s brought in talent but the coaches have screwed him over…..
this year is all about the coaches and scheme….this signing only illuminates the pressure dirk has to win this year…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
August 1st, 2018 at 9:34 am
Nothing wrong with 2016 class. Noah Spence still has potential to be a stud end rusher now that he had “the full surgery,” Hargreaves will start (somewhere), Caleb Benenoch is a solid backup/starter, the same with Ryan Smith and Devonte Bond. The only huge miss was a certain kicker…
August 1st, 2018 at 9:37 am
Bucsfan yes they have contributed to his regime averaging 5 wins in past 4 years, he just has never had a solid plan like seems to be the theme for championship teams, as in build a solid defense and start upfront oh well the glazers paid him
August 1st, 2018 at 9:37 am
“Forrest Gump had a great opportunity to draft 2-10 year allpro *STARTERS. With these 2 studs we would have made the playoffs this year and years beyond…
2018 Draft will be known for passing Derwin James and Darrius Guice for a bunch of *BACKUP MEH”
Americas Poster Kobe Faker
August 1st, 2018 at 9:45 am
It’s a 1 year extension. ya’ll sound like it’s 10 years 100 million. I find it odd though, i would of waited until the end if the year.
August 1st, 2018 at 9:46 am
KOBE FAKER……. Wants to be perceived smart by calling our pretty solid gm (not perfect) Gump. Your intelligence is astounding… Probably a dishwasher at Wendy’s
August 1st, 2018 at 9:50 am
Good move !
August 1st, 2018 at 9:52 am
Ira “Busts out columns.”
Give me a break Ira.
Juvenile wording. Do you realize this is an italicized and fun bio of Ira after the story? –Joe
August 1st, 2018 at 9:54 am
Sweet, another year to find a kicker
August 1st, 2018 at 10:01 am
glad its only for a year as he has not been great and also Licht is not rated very high.. bucs have to turn the corner or he is also a failure along with the coaches.
August 1st, 2018 at 10:02 am
Jason Licht apparently recently realizing the trenches, especially DLs, win games passed on Arron Donald for Mike Evans.
Evans is a great receiver.
Donald is a generational tackle.
You guessed it. I ranted for Donald Donald and Luke Kuechley over Mark Barron.
August 1st, 2018 at 10:03 am
Yes
August 1st, 2018 at 10:08 am
So we have people mad because we drafted a top 5 wr over a top 5 dlineman? Jesus people.
August 1st, 2018 at 10:10 am
Smart move.
Let’s Licht know they believe in him, like his drafting thus far and that he will be here regardless of what happens on the field in 2018.
However, its only 1 extra year guaranteed so don’t get too comfortable…
August 1st, 2018 at 10:10 am
And all the bartenders in Tampa just thanked God. And now we get more hungover photos and press conferences from him.
August 1st, 2018 at 10:12 am
I’m sorry, but I don’t see how this makes any sense. It should’ve remained a contract year for Licht. This is a historical losing franchise under his command outside of ONE 9-7 season.
I would have waited to see what kind of football team he fielded THIS year before rewarding him with an extension.
Man, this franchise does some really head-scratching crap!!!!!
August 1st, 2018 at 10:17 am
There should be a clause in his contract where every single morning, he has to look in the mirror and say “With a 2nd rounder, you drafted Roberto Aguyo” and then he has to slap himself before stepping in One Buc Palace.
August 1st, 2018 at 10:28 am
The Glazer’s have a history of extensions, then jettisoning anyhow.
August 1st, 2018 at 10:29 am
sooo they picked up the last year option??? If The Buc Realist was an NFL owner, No coach or GM would be on their last year!!!!! It would be Full Confidence, until fired!!!!!!! What would it cost an extra 10-14 million to have everyone for one extra year?????? I have seen more wasted on a bust of a free-agent!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone looks at Coaches and GM differently when they are on their last year!!!!!! It can cost you players being resigned, or free agents not considering it an option to land due to instability!!!!!!!!! The Glazers need to stop the sink or swim mentality!!!!! You have to put players, front office and coaches in positions to succeed and every chance to succeed!!!!!!!!!
The decade of debacle is self inflicted!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
August 1st, 2018 at 10:35 am
Good move by the Glazers. Licht has made his mistakes, but I believe he has also gotten better over time.
August 1st, 2018 at 10:41 am
Well deserved with some solid drafts
August 1st, 2018 at 10:46 am
this doesn’t look good for dirk and smitty…..with this signing, licht will be able to fire dirk and smitty mid season if they sh!t the bed again…..
licht maybe eyeing buckner for the HC position…..
hot seat indeed dirk and smitty…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!
August 1st, 2018 at 10:47 am
Silly flipn so called bucs “fans.” Licht is more than deserving of an extension!! Yes, the Glazers want to be sure, having only extended him for 1 yr, but the man deserves even more than that!! Results on the field that our team is stacked will get him that multi-yr extension he truly deserves.
Congrats AC/DC loving Licht!!! Well deserved! … And keep bringing us the heat Irv!!
August 1st, 2018 at 10:48 am
Good move Bucs, albeit kinda strange timing….., but that’s just how we roll!
Keep building this team JL.
Go Bucs!
August 1st, 2018 at 10:49 am
realist
good coaches don’t make it to their last year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!….only the lousy incompetent ones do!!!!!!!!!!!!
now pull your skirt down and get back to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!
August 1st, 2018 at 10:55 am
Great news! The results aren’t necessarily there if you’re just looking at the team’s record but the talent is there for them to be more successful than they have been.
August 1st, 2018 at 10:57 am
Licht should’ve have done a better job replacing lovie. I feel like he has gotten a pass on that by fans
August 1st, 2018 at 10:59 am
There is just absolutely no reason this Bucs team shouldn’t win this year.
I like this move by the Glazers.
Put’s the pressure right where it should be; on Koetter’s shoulders.
You don’t wanna turn over play calling, OK, then show me something.
I just fully believe he is too stubborn to ever turn a corner with the same calls year after year. It’s a follow the leader league and Dirk doesn’t even follow that well, let alone lead every once in a while.
August 1st, 2018 at 10:59 am
I’m in the middle of the road on Licht. Optimism is peaking for this coming season for many fans like it was over the past seasons under this GM. Reality will set in soon enough. Go Bucs! Make the fans cheer until they are hoarse instead of jeers habitually like of course.
August 1st, 2018 at 11:02 am
This is a clear sign that Licht is on his way out the door after this season. Team Glazer loves to pay people for not playing, coaching, or managing. That’s just how they roll. #PaidFloridaVacation
August 1st, 2018 at 11:04 am
Best drafting we’ve had in over a decade for sure.
As for free agency- it’s always hit or miss. Go back to Dom or even back to Allen, how many successful free agents did they really bring in?
Vincent Jackson was the only one I can think of under Dom. Maybe kellen Winslow? (Depending on your opinion of him, not considering his recent behavior lol)
August 1st, 2018 at 11:05 am
Leave it to the Bucs to reward a GM with a brutal record of early draft picks and FAs to an extension, not to mention he picked the wrong QB! It truly is a Bucs life. Remenber when he thought Bucs were only a kicker away from contention. This just drives the final nail into the coffin that confirms the Glazers dont care for the Bucs or their fans.
August 1st, 2018 at 11:13 am
813,
How do you know that Realist’s job ISN’T pulling up his skirt?
Just sayin’😜
August 1st, 2018 at 11:17 am
Don’t look now but Jon Robinson is building a power-house. Meanwhile in Tampa Chris Conte is still a starter.
August 1st, 2018 at 11:24 am
Wowoeowowow. This is the guy that took a kicker in the second round and even worse drafted JW over Mareota.
August 1st, 2018 at 11:28 am
This team is slowly amassing quality starters and depth- something it lacked for the better part of a decade. I know the W-L record stinks as bad as some of his FA signings, but keeping Licht in place allows for the kind of stability we need here. He’s on the right track. There’s now enough talent on this team to be competitive. Plus, he’s a hardworking and genuinely good fella, the kind that grinds and has earned his opportunities.
August 1st, 2018 at 11:36 am
I here he is bringing Baker back.
August 1st, 2018 at 12:12 pm
DOOS
good one!!!!!!!!!!….LMAO
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
August 1st, 2018 at 1:01 pm
I was Licht’s worse critic last year, but when he saw the light and turned around this team in one year, I said he deserved a new contract now, and I am glad the Glazers also agreed. While people can say Koetter is stubborn and won’t change; his allowing real padded practices this year after pansy practices last year and his willingness to bring in Buckner when he was a fan of the DC he fired, shows this year he is willing to be flexible to find ways to win! Just keep it up Coach!
August 1st, 2018 at 1:23 pm
Haters and Trolls are crying over this one!
Lol
August 1st, 2018 at 1:35 pm
22-42?
Licht sucks out loud. Garbage.
#firetheglazers
August 1st, 2018 at 2:49 pm
Can’t even begin to try to explain why judging a GM so harshly over one 2nd round bust is just asinine. Fans also want to conviently forget that Licht did not have the final say over personal when Love was here. That may not sound like a big deal to you but it is to the owners who likely fired Love and retained Licht because of personal decisions and who made them.
And don’t forget the coaching staff when you cite the W-L record. We don’t even know that hiring Dirk & Smitty.
August 1st, 2018 at 2:51 pm
**we don’t know that Licht is 100 percent to blame for hiring Dirk & Smitty**
August 1st, 2018 at 6:12 pm
Well at 22-42 he has a long way to go to even be .500
Good for him, it may suck for the Buc’s though.
August 1st, 2018 at 7:30 pm
hahahahaha!!!! These owners are hillarious. The bucs are truly the worst franchise in pro sports worldwide.
August 1st, 2018 at 8:05 pm
Good job Glazers…..Congrats mr. Licht, now go sign Foles! Make it work.
August 1st, 2018 at 8:56 pm
Thank you! A great talent in the front office! I love this dude!
August 1st, 2018 at 11:14 pm
Odd?! This guy is responsible for and closely tied to this coaching staff that is skating on very thin ice! He should go if the coaches do. I think the Bucs are trying to keep continuity for continuity’s sake.
August 1st, 2018 at 11:36 pm
BSPN says (first confirmed by joebucsfan.com) at the bottom. The non hating Bucs fans enjoy seeing it before the public. Thanks guys