Licht “Absolutely” Wants David, Godwin
September 11th, 2020
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Wanting and getting what you want are two different things. This is the balancing act Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is performing.
The Bucs are jammed against the salary cap. Several league sources have reported the NFL is expecting the salary cap to drop next year — dramatically. And the Bucs have a few pricey free agents due to hit the market after the season that would have most if not all NFL teams drooling to sign.
Licht briefly discussed two of those prospective free agents today in a rare September media availability for the Bucs’ shot-caller, now in his seventh season in charge of personnel. Licht spoke only in generalities. He said he had no “artificial deadline” to sign stud linebacker Lavonte David and rising star wide receiver Chris Godwin, though he does have open dialogue with the two camps.
Licht made it clear he “absolutely” wants to keep both David and Godwin. But can he?
For a little background, the Bucs, per Spotrac.com, have an estimated $3.8 million in cap space, and that has to cover signing players off the street to replace injured players this season.
Godwin, for example, is making just over $2.1 million this year. Given the results he put up last year, Godwin is a bargain bin steal for the Bucs. Godwin next year could likely double his salary if he gets on the open market.
If the salary cap drops as much as some believe, Joe is confident this team will look a whole lot different than it does this season.
The more you study the numbers, the more you understand this team is in a Super Bowl-or-bust pinch.
September 11th, 2020 at 1:37 pm
My boy Chris Godwin wants that Keenan Allen money
September 11th, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Makes 2.1m ,likely double his salary? Lol more like 15m/yr market value
September 11th, 2020 at 1:53 pm
It would be nice to see Lavonte David retire as a Buc.
September 11th, 2020 at 1:54 pm
All or nothing this year. David has been a damn good player for us, but I’m keeping Godwin over him 10 out of 10 times. Good linebackers are easier to find than elite receivers and Licht is great at finding linebackers (receivers too for that matter) in the draft.
September 11th, 2020 at 2:07 pm
Yet another dumb question, but what does our roster look like by agent?
Are any of our guys represented by the same agent, and does that have any effect on contract negotiations?
September 11th, 2020 at 2:19 pm
On a side note, Licht kinda looks like a jewel troll in that picture…
September 11th, 2020 at 2:37 pm
You could multiply Godwin’s salary by 4 and he would still be a steal. Looking at spotrac, we already have $149m+ committed to next year with an expected cap around $175m, so we’ll have roughly $25m to spend.
The following are big players that will be unrestricted free agents and their salaries from 2020:
– Godwin ($2.3m)
– Gronk ($9.2m)
– Suh ($8m)
– Shaq ($15.8m)
– Lavonte David ($10.7m)
The following are players that will be in the last year of their contract in 2021:
– Ronald Jones
– Justin Watson
– OJ Howard
– Donovan Smith
– Ryan Jensen
– Alex Cappa
– Will Gholston
– Vita Vea (5th year option is available though)
– JPP
– Carlton Davis
– Jordan Whitehead
This year is the Bucs’ best opportunity by far and we are going to see a completely different team in the next 2-3 years. Licht or whoever is GM will have to really earn their paycheck to keep the team together and improve it.
September 11th, 2020 at 2:42 pm
Probably extremely likely we tag Godwin and signed Shaq/Lavonte long term. Could also see us finally cut Donovan or Jensen to free up 10+ mil.
September 11th, 2020 at 2:58 pm
Suh is going to be gone. Sign Gronk for cheap, Restructure some deals to get Godwin, David and Shaq done.
If one has to go I would pick Lavonte (if Shaq keeps producing)
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 11th, 2020 at 3:01 pm
OBP if Brady is stoll here next year we can’t be gambling on Oline lol might need to cut David as bad as that sounds.. maybe Gronk takes a paycut if we win this year who knows.. we’ll have to see
September 11th, 2020 at 3:04 pm
Theyre signed for this season. One at a time Joey. They win the super bowl this year and alot of guys will be getting paid elsewhere. Good problem to have
September 11th, 2020 at 3:31 pm
I understand that this article is used to buttress Joe’s argument that the Bucs are all in this year to make it to, and hopefully win, the SB. But speculating about which players may be gone is a bit premature. Let’s let the season play out. We don’t know for sure what the cap will be next year. How will players perform this year? Will there be any injuries? How will Rosen progress? Will Brady and/or Gronk want to play another year? I get the point. We probably won’t be able to keep all the players we have this year, but let’s just enjoy the ride for now and hope it’s a good one!
September 11th, 2020 at 4:39 pm
Double? Try quadruple, if not more.
Unless he has a bad season this year.
September 11th, 2020 at 5:21 pm
I don’t see the bucs keeping Godwin or Barrett they won’t be able to afford them. Last time I looked spotrac had the bucs at 16 mil cap space next year that will not be enough to sign one of them.
September 11th, 2020 at 5:26 pm
Disregard my last post spotrac has the bucs at 28 mil cap cap space!
September 11th, 2020 at 5:30 pm
Allbuccedup Says:
September 11th, 2020 at 5:21 pm
I don’t see the bucs keeping Godwin or Barrett they won’t be able to afford them. Last time I looked spotrac had the bucs at 16 mil cap space next year that will not be enough to sign one of them.
That’s also will depend on how contracts will be worded, they could back end load the contracts to help alleviate alot of that problem
September 11th, 2020 at 5:44 pm
Jason, you’re right that was a dumb question.
Joe, you think Godwin, a pro bowler, is going to sign for $4.2M. I would say it’s going to have to start at $10M just to have him pick up the phone.
September 11th, 2020 at 6:06 pm
“Trade Hammy Evan for shutdown corner
Evan’s has 2 more years before his speed and body deteriorate like a rock
Draft plug and play center/left tackle in 1st round draft ala wirf”
Kobe Faker
September 12th, 2020 at 12:39 am
Well, after we make the playoffs and possibly win the SB…the TE position is overloaded like crazy. Spend our 1st on TE next year and do what needs to be done….
Cant have it all.
September 12th, 2020 at 12:49 am
Zapata….im still in this….just keep listening….all is well.
September 12th, 2020 at 12:53 am
I wake up and I go to sleep hungry….my belly is never full
September 12th, 2020 at 6:13 pm
WR and LB are two positions this staff is great at finding. Not concerned.