Jason Licht > Bill Belichick?
January 1st, 2025
“Hey Jason, remember who you learned everything from, will ya?”
Joe understands people kvetch about Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Light for this transaction not made or that transaction not made.
However, Licht is outperforming a living legend, and it’s one reason why that legend can no longer find a gig in the NFL and had to scurry off to the ACC to find work despite all of his jewelry.
Licht once worked for Bill Belichick in New England. And it appears Licht learned how to replace an icon that Belichick could not.
Both men had Tom Brady playing quarterback. Both men won rings because of Brady.
But, as Albert Breer of SI.com points out, Belichick never could find a quarterback to sort of replace Brady. Licht has.
Not solving the quarterback position is why Belichick is now at the University of North Carolina (and not the Stinking Panthers). And Baker Mayfield is a big reason Licht has plenty of job security.
The Buccaneers now have two winning seasons in two years after Brady’s retirement, which is more than the Patriots have mustered in five. They could win their second division title in as many years after No. 12 walked out the door—the Patriots are 0-for-5 in that category. And, impressively, they’ve gone from having one of the oldest rosters in the league to one of the youngest this year (they ranked second before the season), without taking a step back.
And, the Bucs have a better record than when Brady last played in the wild card round for the 2022 season.
So yeah, as Belichick himself said on the Manning Bros Show a few weeks ago, Licht has done “a great job” losing the greatest quarterback of all time, as well as key stars, and still fielding a division winner while not missing the playoffs.
January 1st, 2025 at 10:11 am
And doing it with significant dead cap money. Hoping that’s finally behind us in 2025.
January 1st, 2025 at 10:17 am
Yes, Joe no doubt about it. Much credit goes to Light and scouting staff. The draft class this year,last year too exceptional. If not for those great pics the Bucs would be nowhere near where they are now. The Bucs went from rebuilding to a real sb contentender likely within the next yea ror 2. Without this current draft class I don’t think we would even be close to looking at another possible division title this year. Yes impressive indeed!!!
January 1st, 2025 at 10:21 am
My point all along.
Licht has built a strong roster and Bowles has done his beat to reduce it to mediocrity.
Such a waste of talent.
January 1st, 2025 at 10:27 am
As someone who followed Brady since he came in league, switching from cheering for the Bills, to the Pats, and now the Bucs, I can say that Belichick started losing his magic touch as a GM starting in 2015. The Pats won in 2015 to 2019 due to older players like Brady, Gronk and Edelman drafted before 2015. When Brady left, Belichick could no longer get great free agent steals either. He was awful as a GM his last 8 years before getting canned.
Licht has been an amazing GM since 2020 at least and decent before,. Winston was what held the team back.
January 1st, 2025 at 10:48 am
on another note:
i think big dog licht should look into signing a linebacker named kyzir white…
currently with arizona, but a ufa at the season’s end…
he’s a pretty solid ball player…
the defense needs a fixing, and he can help
January 1st, 2025 at 10:59 am
JL is a stud and the front office he built is a top notch. Been saying this for years, people that are quick to point fingers at JL don’t know what they are talking about.
January 1st, 2025 at 11:10 am
Licht and Bowles may be the best duo in the NFL. Belidunce never won squat without Brady. Some folks (Belidunce fans) will think I’m knocking a football God. Folks I don’t know where you come from but a 72 year old dating a 24 year old seals the deal for me. I can’t imagine any locker room respecting that dude. What the heck is he doing? Here in Oklahoma we’d call him a fizzledi**. Never have liked the guy. Good luck Tar Heels.
January 1st, 2025 at 11:20 am
Who is the last all-pro ANYTHING Bellichek drafted?
January 1st, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Spot on, Davenport.
January 1st, 2025 at 12:34 pm
Did the bucs pay the Joe-Joes to write this? Get off the drugs. JL is a subpar GM.
January 1st, 2025 at 12:40 pm
JL is a top tier GM, there is 0 doubt about it. Now, playing in a weak division greatly helps this quick turnaround while staying winning. If we make the right coaching moves (not sure what those are exactly but pretty sure it doesn’t involve Bowles at HC) Licht will have this team competing for the SB the next couple years!
January 1st, 2025 at 12:59 pm
I don’t know about Belichick as a GM but I think it’s clear that he was one of the greatest coaches ever. While it’s true that without Brady, he would not have been as successful, I believe it’s even more true that Brady would not have been as successful without Belichick.
January 1st, 2025 at 1:18 pm
What’s the old saying ? Quarterbacks can make or break head coaches. Without Baker would Bowles still be coaching the Bucs ?
January 1st, 2025 at 2:00 pm
I love to look back and smile at all the baker predictions before last season began. Mikes streak is over. 4-12 record. Out of the league after season. Broadcaster in waiting. Benched for trask. It’s nice when a 4 million qb proves some as wise. Great pick up , Jason and Todd ( Todd wanted baker in 2018).
January 1st, 2025 at 3:16 pm
Licht has done an amazing job. He reached for Roberto Aguayo – kind of. The Bucs needed a kicker badly and Aguayo was one of the most accurate kickers ever in college. The Matt Gay choice was ok – the Bucs just gave up on him too soon. Camarda was amazing until he became a head case. Overall, JL’s draft picks have been really good (and good value) way more often than not.
January 1st, 2025 at 4:58 pm
Keton Smith “. I can’t imagine any locker room respecting that dude”
I rarely like your takes… mostly a ra ra suckup but this one takes the cake
January 1st, 2025 at 6:23 pm
Belicheat is in his 70s, correct? He’s got PLENTY of money so why doesn’t he retire? I doubt it severely he’s living from paycheck to paycheck. More like cashing in a few stock dividends. The Licht man is the best GM Bucs have ever had, hands down. That includes Rich McKay. He works beautifully between the Glazer Boyz and the coaches. He respects Todd Bowles who is a big reason why Feisty BM was taken off the scrap heap and brought here. The more I follow Baker, the more I scratch my head. Why was this guy discarded? Anywho, you can bet Licht already has his ears to the ground about defense and a punter come draft time. Let’s get to 10-7 first. Go Bucs!!
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:35 pm
This is huge. I hope Jason stays for another 10 years. Did he have a lot to learn at the beginning when he first got the job? Of course he has deff gotten better each year. Honestly I thought the most impressive job he did was field a team that the greatest QB in the game wanted to play with. I think that is second now to him having us still competitive after Brady. We were and still kinda are in cap hell. Can’t spend money on players we need so what does he do he keeps drafting contributors , he gets us younger while keeping the core leaders. When he finds FA he doesn’t over spend. Look at bakers deal and ME13 deals those are bargains for stars of their caliber. Jason is the man. Also he stole JPP from the giants what a deal signed Barrett can someone say sack king got gronk Lenny brown before he fully lost his mind Jason needs to be in the hall of fame too