“Everything Is Relationship-based, I Believe.”
March 14th, 2021
Bucs GM Jason Licht
Bucs Super Bowl general manager Jason Licht is looking incredibly refreshed and revitalized these days.
Joe can relate. The glorious Super Bowl win certainly reversed Joe’s aging process in a huge way after a The Lost Decade in which every season aged Bucs fans at least two or three years.
Joe got a look at Licht yesterday on a new episode of the Buccaneers official in-house show Slice. And it was there that maybe, just maybe, Licht revealed why he’s confident pending free agent sacks king Shaq Barrett will be re-signed by the Bucs this week.
“Everything is relationship-based, I believe, and this business is no different,” Licht said.
Joe cannot speak to Licht’s relationships, other than he seems to have fantastic ones with other GMs around the league. (See the Jason Pierre-Paul trade of 2018.) And Licht uses those to know the draft board and the free agent markets better than most.
But if Licht believes “everything is relationship-based,” then shouldn’t that translate to a Barrett return in 2021?
Shaq has said multiple times he adores his teammates, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and living in Tampa. And Shaq has been vocal with his appreciation of how the Bucs stepped up to give him a chance in 2019. Licht also has said previously that he has an excellent relationship with Shaq’s agent, oily Drew Rosenhaus. And Shaq has gotten all kinds of public love from his teammates. JPP told New York sports radio recently that if Tampa Bay just brings back Shaq, they’ll be fine next season.
So it seems Shaq’s only real decision is whether his relationship with money is more important than his relationships in Tampa, where he also would earn a fat paycheck.
Joe’s feeling a little confident this morning that Shaq will choose to stay put.
March 14th, 2021 at 9:05 am
Relationship is relative…..sure it counts for a lot…..but how much is a lot?
March 14th, 2021 at 9:12 am
That man wants his pay day, not sure the warm and fuzzies are worth millions.
March 14th, 2021 at 9:20 am
And all those hating on my man Mr. Licht….yeah, look at you now chumps, lol…all good.
We still have some other very important FA’s to sign…I hope Shaq makes the cut but i dont know. Stay home friendly Shaq, its not like you’re broke and scraping for food and rent money, you’ll get paid. Chase that legacy…back to back SB’s…do it now because this is the only place….
March 14th, 2021 at 9:53 am
Take max pay and go play for Urban Meyer and lose 12 games or take what the Bucs can afford and try to repeat. That’s the choice here.
March 14th, 2021 at 10:33 am
It is as Joe said on Ira’s podcast. How many millions do you need? Not being in their shoes, it is kind of hard to know how it feels.
I’m not saying these guys shouldn’t be paid sufficiently to have a comfortable living. They paid the price…they deserve it. But at some point in time, there is a line. Hopefully 18 to 20 mil. a year is enough for Shaq. If not, that says as much about him and what he values, as it does anything. And if he values a few million more than being here, in light of the fact he would be guaranteed dozens of millions as it is? Frankly, maybe it is better he goes elsewhere if it comes to that. I want him here. We need him here. But it is his choice. It is his money.
March 14th, 2021 at 10:34 am
It’s all about the difference in what the Bucs will/can pay and what the market will pay. If it’s 2 mill or less, I feel pretty good Shaq will stay. He’ll still pull in 17-18 mil, which is a huge increase over his current salary. If the difference starts creeping over 2 mil, then you have to consider what that money could do for your and your family’s future. You know he’s got voices in his ears (Brady whispering, Stay Shaq, Stay Shaq, come on Stay Shaq).
March 14th, 2021 at 11:54 am
Generational wealth is there for Shaq, we will see who pays that to him. The Buc’s or another team. We can say many things about different players. But ultimately life is lived long past a football career. So we will see what 1st Shaq believes is best for him and his family, and 2nd his professional football career. So we can post different things but what would you do with $80-100 million. Football can be over on the very next play. I hope Shaq signs with the Buc’s but whatever he does, he is an awesome player and a good family man. Again we are talking about GENERATIONAL WEALTH for Shaq. GO BUCS!!!
March 14th, 2021 at 11:54 am
Players don’t realize staying with one team and winning, will pay many dividends later on.GO BUCS!
March 14th, 2021 at 11:59 am
What makes this time of year so confusing is while we contemplate the meaning of relationship and whether it’s relevant or in contrast “Money talks and BS walks,” we have no way of understanding how the futures of several other players, potential FA’s, and draft picks will factor into the overall equation. While we burn neurons trying to figure out what management will do and God forbid a season ending injury to a 19mil investment we can only hope that like the many previous pre-seasons, we will get LUCKY and all the pieces will fall in place and we will be competitive. Winning a SB and actually doing it is as aways a roll of the dice for any NFL team.
March 14th, 2021 at 12:01 pm
BTW I believe when you add up what Suh has made, it is the most actual money from Contracts than any defensive player in the history of the NFL. Remember he got a 100+ million deal from the Dolphins. And yes please sign Suh too J Licht, Suh and Vita are a stone wall, that is historically good against the run. GO BUCS!!!!
March 14th, 2021 at 12:19 pm
I won’t lose a minute of sleep if Shaq or anyone else for that matter don’t resign. What David and Brady selflessly did with their contract extensions was clearly done to keep everyone together. At this point it’s up to them (remaining Free Agents) because we can at least make a fair offer. May not break the bank but it will be fair. It’s your move!!! Let’s do this#GoBucs
March 14th, 2021 at 1:59 pm
I agree with Snook: take the big $$$ and possibly play where no one cares, or take the Bucs and be on a team with huge national focus, chasing two in a row.
March 14th, 2021 at 2:47 pm
The glorious Super Bowl win certainly reversed Joe’s aging process
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I wish it would reverse his “moniker” process as well.
March 14th, 2021 at 2:49 pm
If signing Shaq is going to cause the team to lose Gronk, Suh, Succop and a pass catching running back we need to let him walk. A little new blood never hurt anyone. With the improvement of the defense there are a lot of free agent edge rushers that could flourish on this team.
March 14th, 2021 at 3:18 pm
I’m tired of fretting about Shaq. Sign him already Licht!
March 14th, 2021 at 3:26 pm
Here is the deal. We are #1 till somebody knocks us off the throne. KC was in this situation last year, and the Bucs forced their will on them. We own the Crown till someone can take it from us!
March 14th, 2021 at 5:14 pm
If the Bucs re-sign Shaq, I’ll be happy.
If the Bucs sign another good pass rusher to replace Shaq, I’ll be happy.
I won’t hold any ill will against Shaq if he makes a business decision to sign with another team.
I won’t hold any ill will against Jason Licht for not franchising Shaq.
March 14th, 2021 at 5:31 pm
@Joe in Michigan: if you’re a proven, decent edge rusher with skills to drop into coverage, why wouldn’t you want to lay for the Bucs, even at fewer $$$ than Barrett may get in the NFL wannabe hinterlands? Who would NOT want to be a part of the Bucs front 7?
Unless you’re a money wh0re.
I want Barrett to stay, but if he does not I don’t think the Bucs SB run is over. Far from it.
The next step would be who takes his place, and from what I see in FA, there could be several.
March 14th, 2021 at 8:46 pm
I do not think Shaq is likely to have the success elsewhere he has had here in Tampa. We are playing Vita Vea and N. Suh and they make a difference. Bucs are the best shot for winning superbowl. Florida has no income tax. Cannot beat the playing conditions and he is settled into place here already. He is the top dog alternating with JPP. He wants to stay and will likely do it, Jason Licht and Bucs will make this happen.
March 14th, 2021 at 9:31 pm
It’s funny how a lot of people on here keep saying he should sign here for less to have a chance at another Super Bowl. It’s only 10 million less over 5 years. If you had a great work place loved going to work everyday and everything was great. Would you stay with that job if another job offered you a 10% guaranteed raise. Yeah it’s great to hope. But ultimately the is just playing football. He is going to have friends and good relationships whatever team he goes to. He has 2 super bowl rings and 3-4 losing seasons. I wouldn’t pass up on 10 million over a 4-5 year span. That’s the difference of being able to do whatever you want to do the rest of your life. And your kids can go to college have new cars and you can buy them there first house. And still have money left over from the extra 10 million. We’re talking about never having to work again. Vacation wherever you want. Drive a Ferrari to dinner. And your kids are set up for a great financial life. Over a super bowl ring. He would be selfish to chose a ring over 2 generations wealthy money.
March 14th, 2021 at 9:39 pm
I once thought joe overvalued his relationships with buc management, but joe proved me wrong. Relationships seemed like an idea destroyed by our modern world, just thought he was behind the times. Truth is the best relationships require incredibly great skill; far more than my skill level hence my lack of understanding. Anyway im a believer now, lets just say let joe be joe, same for the bucs management and we will be fine.
March 14th, 2021 at 9:40 pm
@Jeff, im sorry youre so caught up in $$….theres many things $$ cant buy…its all about perspective.