“Stupid” Salaries And Trading A “Bunch” Of Draft Picks Are Off The Bucs’ Table
February 28th, 2025
Bucs GM Jason Licht is passionate about his path.
This will be a painful thing for some Bucs fans to accept with free agency 10 short days away and the Bucs seemingly on the cusp of a greatness.
At the NFL Scouting Combine this week in Indianapolis, where Joe continues to patrol, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht seemingly will tell anyone that will listen that he has no plan to deviate from his current formula.
That means nail the draft, find deals in free agency (and what a steal Baker Mayfield and Ben Bredeson were), and improve the Bucs’ line of credit (aka salary cap) while still winning games and improving.
And yes, Licht thinks the Bucs were better last year than they were in 2023, so he told Joe.
“I kind of feel like we’re in a sweet spot here and manage things correctly and don’t do anything stupid with the cap or give up a whole bunch of picks for the future, I think we can continue to do this and be in a place where we’re knocking on the door and finally kick it down,” Licht told SiriusXM NFL radio.
Joe italicized “stupid” because Licht emphasized “stupid.”
Joe’s removing the Bucs from the Myles Garrett chatter and any other potential trade that involves a ton of draft capital. That’s just how it is when your team has proven draft picks across the board are valuable.
Coughing up a third-round pick and a late-round pick for edge rusher Harold Landry continues to smell like a deal Joe finds pleasing and plausible.
February 28th, 2025 at 8:07 am
Dean and a 4th for Laundry and a 6th sounds great to me
February 28th, 2025 at 8:09 am
Did anyone pickup the guy we signed last year that never showed up? I bet he signs cheap.
February 28th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Better find a pass rusher in FA because drafting them hasn’t worked so far. Lichts one weakness is drafting an outside rusher.
February 28th, 2025 at 8:21 am
Love it. Case(s) in point – how are the Broncos feeling right now about their Wilson deal? Or the Browns about Watson? Or the Saints about Carr? Or the Falcons about Cousins? Or the Panthers about Young.
And I’ll wager the Cowbows may not be so excited about their contract with Dak in a few years.
Take a deep breath when getting googly eyed over certain guys.
February 28th, 2025 at 8:27 am
Don’t care how you do it, we need a legit edge rusher now. If we fail bc we are cheap or clutching our pearls about money or draft picks, I’m going to rage during the playoffs when we fail as a pass defense bc we are toothless without a legit edge rush.
Yaya was good last year by “almost” stats. Imagine getting an edge rusher a notch better than him on the other side, yes please.
FFS, why have Vita and Lancey of your edge is impotent?
February 28th, 2025 at 8:27 am
Proven execution over potential. Go get Landry — especially if you can keep your 1st and 2nd rd picks. That still allows you to get a stud ILB and CB.
Bucs best Edge rushers over the past 20 years were FAs or trades (Rice, Bennett, JPP, Shaq). Just like QB. Acknowledge it and do what you do best — go get him. Trade Dean as part of the deal if possible.
February 28th, 2025 at 8:38 am
Pretty much expected. Wouldn’t say I am upset about it. Let’s reload the D, hopefully have a healthy season and finally see if Bowles is the guy. Plenty of cap space in 2026 to take full swings.
I assume that means Charvarius Ward is out as well. I will hold out hope that a guy like Ojulari or Browning is brought in along with a CB who can challenge Dean.
February 28th, 2025 at 8:55 am
Randy Gregory was a stupid signing
February 28th, 2025 at 8:56 am
We should never believe anything that is said during combine week or in the weeks leading up to the draft.
February 28th, 2025 at 9:05 am
Better find a pass rusher in FA because drafting them hasn’t worked so far. Lichts one weakness is drafting an outside rusher.
It doesn’t matter who you have at edge rushers if they’re dropping into coverage so much. Just saying.
February 28th, 2025 at 9:07 am
History says this article is 100% accurate only Licht probably won’t want to give up any draft capital at all and take his chances in free agency. If Mr Wizard has a 2021 like draft Bowles will pay the price
February 28th, 2025 at 9:09 am
@ BuxfaninTX
I agree but our GM didn’t give up anything for RG and he only stole a few cap dollars from us.
Edge was one of our weakest positions last season and the RG signing showed how desperate the Bucs were for improvement.
I didn’t mind the signing even though it didn’t work out.
February 28th, 2025 at 9:12 am
Licht needs to free up cap space to pick up some FA’s, start by unloading Dean.
February 28th, 2025 at 9:15 am
Our GM is very conservative when it comes to trading draft capital for players…
JPP was probably his biggest trade ever:
“Big Blue shipped defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and a 2018 fourth-round pick (No. 102 overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 2018 third- (No. 69) and fourth-round picks (No. 108), both teams announced Thursday.”
So basically a third round pick.
Now that was one heck of a value filled deal for the Bucs.
February 28th, 2025 at 9:29 am
Was watching a little bit of the highlights of the combine for defensive lineman. For the kind of players we need, this is the draft for the Buccaneers. There are a pile of extremely athletic and quick defensive lineman and edge rushers in this draft. Maybe this is the year we hit on one of those guys. I’m not opposed to finding somebody in FA but would like to see an edge go early just for competition and depth.
February 28th, 2025 at 9:31 am
Licht loves his picks more than landing an impact player, I do not expect any impact signings by Licht to help this awful defense.
Bucs are happy with mediocrity and unless the division improves dramatically they will not be forced to improve dramatically themselves
February 28th, 2025 at 9:50 am
I think yaya is knocking on the door of breaking out and I feel bucs feel this way too so I expected this, Jason needs to nail this draft. Go bucs!!
February 28th, 2025 at 9:52 am
Don’t think the Bucs can find an edge rusher in the draft as late as we pick that can make a day one difference.
Bucs would have to go for the FA proven to make a difference this year.
The Problem is Salary Cap and by the time we develop the needs at DE the Bucs will lose other key players to retirement.
So if the GM is against FA the Bucs will be in the same boat Going Home Early
February 28th, 2025 at 9:52 am
I like it.
Save the big money for re-signing our best players. Acquire picks when possible.
So far as the claim that Licht can’t draft quality pass rushers, that’s wrong. YaYa is turning into one. He may not become JPP great, but he can still be solid. Not bad for a 3rd rounder.
Quality guys need 1-3 years of development usually…with some few exceptions.
Even the great Warren Sapp took a year to hit his stride, though he showed signs of making the jump the second half of his rookie year.
Also, Calijah Kancey showed good improvement in 2024, getting 7+ sacks.
February 28th, 2025 at 10:00 am
He wants to produce a perennial NFCS Champion instead of going all in on 1-2 years. I’m good with it. Let’s just start winning 11-12 games a year.
February 28th, 2025 at 11:04 am
Translated – Glazers won’t pay for a top tier edge rusher. So cheap.
February 28th, 2025 at 11:29 am
#Repost
LUVMYBUCS Says:
February 5th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Trade for Landry, Draft Ezeiruaku
Trade for Harold Landry before free agency, restructure his contract to free cap space, then trade back from Pick 19 to draft Donovan Ezeiruaku while adding assets.
🔄 Step 1: Trade for Landry & Restructure
💰 Offer Tennessee a 2026 third & 2027 fourth—they free $10M+ in cap space, while Tampa restructures Landry’s $24M cap hit down to $12-15M for flexibility.
📉 Step 2: Trade Back & Draft Ezeiruaku
📌 Move back 5-10 spots from Pick 19, secure extra picks, and still land Ezeiruaku—a high-motor, technically polished edge rusher who thrives opposite Landry.
🏆 The Win-Win Plan
✔ Landry Secured & Restructured – Proven pass rusher at a manageable cap hit.
✔ Trade Back Adds Draft Capital – More picks for ILB, CB, S, WR, and RB depth.
✔ In Addition: This move keeps Tampa’s long-term flexibility intact, allowing them to address other key needs.
Tampa fixes its edge rush 🔥 without overpaying or sacrificing long-term success.
Note: If Harold Landry isn’t available, Tampa Bay can pivot by signing Azeez Ojulari in free agency and still trading back in the 1st round to draft Donovan Ezeiruaku, securing a young, high-upside pass-rush duo without overspending.
February 28th, 2025 at 11:34 am
#Update
With the way Donovan Ezeiruaku’s stock is rising, any thought of trading back from 19 and still landing him is wishful thinking at this point. His trajectory makes it clear: if you want him, you take him at 19 or risk watching someone else do it. The league values edge rushers, and when a guy with his motor, versatility, and upside starts climbing, he doesn’t stop until he’s off the board. If he’s the target, staying put is the only real option now
February 28th, 2025 at 11:46 am
Anyone who thought Licht would do anything differently does not understand Licht.
February 28th, 2025 at 12:09 pm
Thanks Licht. In other words you are telling us..We will be dumpster diving for a DE. Because to get one of the premier ones in free agency, we are gonna have to give up something.
February 28th, 2025 at 12:11 pm
Don’t see us ready to go all in this year. Happy to see us be a perennial winner in the meantime. I trust Light to make wise decisions. He is at the top of his game.
Fans who lived through the lost decade appreciate where this franchise is. Loving it!
Go Bucs!!
February 28th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
Wow, the arrogance. Lets be real, the last 6 games of last year was a cake walk schedule. The division is the weakest in football by FAR. But hey we are doing great, we are happy with being mildly relevant. This entre franchise needs a kick in the pants.
February 28th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
” what a steal Baker Mayfield and Ben Bredeson were”
LOL. What is it with Joe and mediocre-at-best OL? Remember last offseason when Joe was telling everyone here that Hainsey was the best thing since sliced bread?
February 28th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Koala it’s ok to have a 5 million average guard when the rest of your line is above average to great. No one is gonna have 5 Wirfs along the line. You pay and want Brederson for the continuity which surely matters for the OL.
The only reason I wanna push all the chips in right now is for Lavonte. Short sighted and stupid considering we cheer for a team and not a player but I want 2 SBs attached to his legacy after the lost decade he went through.
February 28th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Koala I think we want 5 million for an average guard when the rest of your line is above average to great. No one is gonna have 5 Wirfs along the line. You pay and want Brederson for the continuity which surely matters for the OL.
The only reason I wanna push all the chips in right now is for Lavonte. Short sighted and stupid considering we cheer for a team and not a player but I want 2 SBs attached to his legacy after the lost decade he went through. I worry about maybe the most underrated player of the last 20 years being overlooked for the HoF when he is easily as deserving as Kuechly and Wagner. Lavonte on the Legion of Boom was doing all the same things and more than Wagner was, no doubt in my mind. No disrespect to Wagner who I think is also great but I will take Lavonte.
February 28th, 2025 at 3:12 pm
“Translated – Glazers won’t pay for a top tier edge rusher. So cheap.”
TRANSLATED – I’m a moron and despite being told multiple times that the Glazers do not have a choice when it comes to paying the players!!!! There is a minimum floor as well as a ‘so called” cap.
What makes this statement even more idiotic is that the Glazers have spent out the wazoo to win the second SB and are still OVER what they’re supposed to spend.
February 28th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
Question.
How many Super Bowl winners in last 5 years had a DE that had over 10 sacks that regular season?
I would love to have a stud rushing DE. But this narrative that the only way you win a Super Bowl is to have one of those guys, is absolutely wrong.
February 28th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Just to resign this year’s free agents at last year’s salaries would mean adding over $60 million in additional cap debt pushed down the road in the form of void years and prorated signing bonuses. The Saints are proof that you can really go nuts doing those things. But, I hope that the Bucs maintain some financial discipline and spend wisely.
February 28th, 2025 at 4:01 pm
Haason Reddick would be someone the Bucs should go after as he pretty much ruined his chances last year to get a huge deal, and might entertain a one-year prove it contract. A motivated Reddick, in this defense, could put up big numbers if Bowles drops the awful garbage zone defense, or at least plays it less.
February 28th, 2025 at 5:09 pm
This is as expected. We haven’t done any big blockbuster trades or deals under Licht, outside of obviously signing Tom Brady. And that didn’t require a trade.
Seems like the most Licht will ever give up is a 3rd or 4th round draft pick.
February 28th, 2025 at 5:43 pm
EMMANWORI SHOWING OUT AT THE COMBINE…4.40 AND 4.38 40
11FT BROAD 43 INCH VERT
February 28th, 2025 at 6:06 pm
Don’t fully get what Licht is saying. Wasn’t signing Tom Brady for “stupid money” a worthwhile transaction? To get the top defensive player in the NFL which many would argue is Myles Garrett would also be worthwhile? Agree that it would be stupid for Licht to negotiate in public, but a player like Garrett has a leveraged impact on rapidly improving the defense. At least find out what the Browns would require.
February 28th, 2025 at 6:14 pm
The Gronk trade was pretty huge.
February 28th, 2025 at 6:48 pm
I take everything I hear from the Combine with a grain of salt.
There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors because no one wants to tip their hand about what they really want to do.
Although, Jason Licht’s history is bargain shopping in free agency and building through the draft, with a few exceptions.
Re: Myles Garrett, Browns ownership has said for weeks they don’t intend to trade him.
Jason’s comments and past history suggest Hendrickson and Sweat may be off the table as well.
Injuries aside, from my perspective, the biggest challenge to us making a deeper playoff run next year is our overall defensive scheme. The soft-zone coverage.
Overall, Jason does a good job with FA and the draft. Not perfect, but pretty darn good.
Nail both of those, and the only thing that’ll stop us is the soft-zone defensive scheme.
February 28th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Gipper,
When Brady signed in 2020, the Bucs had $5.9 million Rollover Cap from unused 2019 cap, $7.8 million in Dead Money, and no Void Year future Dead Money commitments. They ended the year with $4 million in Cap Space AFTER everyone was signed.
This year, the Bucs have $6.6 million in Rollover Cap, $32 million in Dead Money, $23 million in 2025 Void Year Pending Dead Money, $13 million in 2026 Void Year Future Dead Money, $20 million in 2027 Void Year Future Dead Money, and $4 million in 2028 Void Year Future Dead Money. All of that is before the resign or replace this year’s free agents whose salaries last year were over $60 million.
So, in 2020, after signing every player including Brady with his $30 million salary, the Bucs had essentially no Future Dead Money except for prorated signing bonuses for players who might be cut, and none for players whose contracts would expire.
In 2025, the Bucs have $60 million in Future Dead Money for players whose contracts will expire before they resign or replace their pending free agents which will require the Bucs to pick up something like another $60 million in Future Dead Money even if they spend no more this year on free agents than they did last year, and there is not much chance that they get away without spending more on free agents this year even if they avoid all of the most expensive players. So, when you are facing a probable minimum of $120 million in Future Dead Cap Money, do you really want to increase your Cap Debt more by signing premier outside free agents for top dollar?
No, the Bucs need to make every million dollars count for as much as they can.
February 28th, 2025 at 10:20 pm
The comments about the team being cheap are silly and uneducated. Licht is trying to build a team that is competitive every year not just a flash in the pan that then has to be traded away and sold off.
Licht is mostly killing it in the draft. Is he the best GM in the NFL? No, but he is certainly top 10. Our roster is young and filled with talent that is home grown. He doesn’t have control over injuries and some times players are busts even when everyone thinks they are going to be great Licht has continued finding talent in the draft even with drafting outside the top 15 for years now.
February 28th, 2025 at 10:23 pm
toopanca,
Are you working for Licht?
February 28th, 2025 at 10:38 pm
@Gipper – there’s a difference between one of the best at a position and the literal GOAT- at the one position that touches the ball on every offensive snap (besides center).
His contract was also very reasonable at the time.
February 28th, 2025 at 10:52 pm
Licht has had me for a few now….little peon nobody unpaid me….just my love for my team….and so far so good. He’s the shot caller, but i try to steer him. Sometimes we hit, a few times we miss. When i said go after Brady we got him…i said go get Baker, we got him. I dont know where it comes from or how it works….just trust the process….we’re close again to being in the championship game. Thats why I need everyone on board who counts…Godwin and LD54 in particular. Its going to pay off.
March 1st, 2025 at 1:49 am
@LUVMYBUCS
Ezeiruaku blew up at the combine. We are not moving back and getting him. Unlikely he falls to 19 after his testing