Bucs Assistant General Manager Mike Greenberg Floated As Potential Jets GM
November 20th, 2024
“Greeny, we’d miss you.”
Is this the year an NFL owner in need of a general manager looks south to Tampa and thinks, ‘Maybe we should raid Jason Licht’s staff for the stability, production and intelligence we’re seeking at GM?’
The Bucs have two assistant general managers, John Spytek and Mike Greenberg. They’ve been key components to building the Bucs into a team that won three consecutive division titles after winning a Super Bowl. That’s an uncommon feat in NFL history.
And that does not factor in Spytek and Greenberg helping craft the roster that was good enough for Tom Brady to select for his seventh Super Bowl.
(No, Joe doesn’t blame the Bucs’ front office for Brady wanting to leave and play for the Dolphins.)
However, it seems to be an annual tradition for NFL owners to show little to no interest in plucking gems from Licht’s staff.
That could change soon. The Jets fired their general manager, after firing their head coach, and Greenberg’s name has been circulating.
New York’s blowtorch sports radio station WFAN has its primetime afternoon/evening show hosted by Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber, and Barber was lobbying for Greenberg this week.
The former star Giants running back called Greenberg a friend and noted “he’d be a great choice.”
Greenberg grew up a Jets fan in New York, Roberts noted, and said he believes that is an important factor.
Of course, Joe thinks it’s ludicrous to claim it’s important for a potential GM to have been a fan of a particular team as a kid. But Joe does believe Greenberg is a viable candidate.
Greenberg isn’t the prototype GM because he didn’t play football at a high level, but that’s not a prerequisite to success. Heck, longtime Panthers GM Marty Hurney, now a front office advisor to the Commanders, was a sportswriter for 10 years before jumping into working for a team. (Does that mean Ira Kaufman could replace Greenberg in Tampa?)
Regardless, Joe is pleased to see the Bucs’ front office getting a shred of respect very early in the hiring cycle for the 2025 season.
It certainly would help the cause of Greenberg, Spytek and others on Licht’s staff if Todd Bowles can get his team to snap out of its funk and beat up on the five poor teams — Carolina twice — remaining on the Bucs’ schedule.
November 20th, 2024 at 8:01 pm
Greenberg has helped this franchise with the ability to manipulate the salary cap to be able to keep players and sign free agents. He might be like those coordinators that don’t make good coaches. Like the HC we have now lol
November 20th, 2024 at 8:03 pm
Brilliant! Ira is the man.
Although the Jets might want Ira for GM. Horrible organization though, Ira, don’t do it. Stay here so one day soon we can mow down some wings and beers at Hooters.
November 20th, 2024 at 9:01 pm
JL IS THE WORST GM IN THE LEAGUE. Only someone who is being paid will say otherwise. He had 1 great year with free agents (2020) and missed on every draft. Guys like wirfs and evans were not the first picks but fell down as the last option. His 1st pick in the draft never even got past his rookie contract. Get off the drugs and say it like it is.
November 20th, 2024 at 9:15 pm
Go cry about your Falcons or Saints Al. Jason Licht first draft pick is going to the hall of fame. Wirfs might join him someday… Licht moved up to get him I will remind you.
5th most pro bowlers drafted since he started as Tampas GM. Has a Super Bowl ring and 3 straight division championships. As soon as he got rid of all our dead weight (Jameis, Lovie, Mike Smith) he brought in winners, changed the culture and we are still seeing the benefits of it. He dumps Bowles and gets a legit HC in here with Coen, back to competing for championships bub!
November 20th, 2024 at 9:52 pm
Al has clearly not passed concussion protocols
November 20th, 2024 at 10:40 pm
5th most pro bowlers drafted since he started as Tampas GM?
What? Pro bowl? How many players opt out so others become pro bowlers? Or their team is already playing? And what metric is this compared to? Teams or GMs? SMDH
November 20th, 2024 at 11:18 pm
Greeney leaves and Bud Licht is well and truly screwed.
November 20th, 2024 at 11:42 pm
Most accountant cap wizardry is literally just however much your owners are willing to overspend at the time. Not some complicated skill.
Just don’t make bad decisions like overpaying for lower value positions like safety and you’ll be good long term.
November 21st, 2024 at 2:25 am
Being a cap wizard does not make one a good evaluator of personnel, but Greenberg is a great capologist, if he gets a pay day, well props to him but I hope he has been training someone to take his place. Tood bad the Bucs cannot send Bowles back to NY with him……