NFL.com: Jason Licht = Winner
March 12th, 2024
Lauded by NFL house organ.
Right about now, if you are a Bucs player and love the Tampa Bay area and want to stay with the Bucs but your contract is running out, so long as Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is calling the shots, you will return.
In the past few years, Licht has demonstrated an uncanny ability to keep quality free agents from bolting the Tampa Bay area.
(Notice Joe qualified this statement using the word “quality.”)
Back in 2021 somehow, Licht kept all 22+1 starters from a Super Bowl-winning team. This year looking at critical pieces to the Bucs’ playoff run last year up for bid, Licht locked all but one down before the legal tampering period began.
And the lone guy left is fully expected to return.
As a result, NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha believes Licht was one of the winners of the first day of legal tampering.
Jason Licht, Bucs general manager: Licht has been on quite a run over the last four years, as Tampa Bay has won a Super Bowl and three NFC South titles during that time. The Bucs are back in position to compete for another division crown because of all the heavy lifting Licht has done over the last two weeks. The first thing he did was work out a two-year, $52 million deal that kept star wide receiver Mike Evans from leaving in free agency. Licht then put the franchise tag on All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. to create time to negotiate a long-term extension for one of the best defensive backs in the league. Finally, there’s the three-year, $100 million deal Licht just worked out with quarterback Baker Mayfield over the weekend. Mayfield was heading to his fourth team in less than a year when he signed with Tampa Bay last March. He wound up enjoying a career year and playing in his first Pro Bowl. This offseason could’ve been rough for Licht — who also agreed to acquire a third-round pick in this year’s draft in a trade that will send cornerback Carlton Davis III to Detroit along with a couple sixth-round picks — if Evans and Mayfield walked. Instead, the Bucs have a great shot at returning to the playoffs for a fifth straight season.
So now there are two tasks Licht has left. If resolved, Joe will happily crown Licht the Master of March:
* Re-sign franchise icon Lavonte David. This seems like it is just a matter of time. The Bucs need him with Devin White likely gone.
* Find a pass rusher. This is right up there with re-signing David. With the Bucs trading their No. 1 corner yesterday, if Bucs fans were triggered with the pass defense last year, get a load of what will happen without Davis and the pass rush stinks.
If the pass rush is not addressed this month, Bucs fans will have ample reason to howl come the fall. And Joe will be right with them.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:11 am
Go Bucs
March 12th, 2024 at 9:12 am
The Culture Club has a new lead singer 🤡
March 12th, 2024 at 9:13 am
Curious minds would definitely like to know how hard JL considered offering Russell Wilson a contract in the 1-2 million a year range ? Signing a Super Bowl and proven winner , not to mention creating more cap room to go after an Edge??? Inquiring minds would like to hear Jason Licht tell us about his thought processes on this.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:15 am
LFG BUCCS
March 12th, 2024 at 9:16 am
We need a pass rusher more than anything else. I know it was a stretch to get some of the bigger names but we need someone desperately.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:17 am
Remember when everyone on here hated him? I do
March 12th, 2024 at 9:18 am
Is there any literal way the Bucs can land Danielle Hunter or swing a sign and trade for Josh Allen?
March 12th, 2024 at 9:20 am
First of all, JL is the man and has been absolutely one of the best GMs in football over the last few years. Secondly, what is up with this Wilson fascination i keep reading about. Russ STINKS. hes always had a nice moon ball but he cant throw across the middle his legs are GONE and his teammates generally dislike him. Mr. Unlimited in a tampa jersey would make me cry and drink
March 12th, 2024 at 9:22 am
Lavonte, Whitehead and a 10+ sack man and let’s go to the draft
March 12th, 2024 at 9:23 am
Jason Licht has killed it this off season. Every move that reasonable fans wanted to see has happened. I think the Carlton Davis trade is very shrewd since most of us felt Davis or Dean was going. He hasn’t made a single mistake. It’s a good trade for both sides. I can’t wait to see what he does in the draft. He’s the best GM in the NFL right now.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:24 am
Kicker= One year with team and got a deal.
QB= One year with the team and got a deal.
David=Over a decade of Production. Left out there hanging. Shameful.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:28 am
Joe Mixon is out there…
March 12th, 2024 at 9:30 am
Carlton Davis wasn’t in the top 32 CBs in the NFL. If that’s the case then you could pay one of the younger guys. They probably get more interceptions by accident.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:30 am
David will be signed by Friday!!! Reddick should be right around the corner!! good intel… Go Bucs
March 12th, 2024 at 9:39 am
Remember when we still had hope for jts?
March 12th, 2024 at 9:43 am
Bucs are going to sign a vet edge rusher and then draft one. Have to double dip to have a shot of improving.
Same principle applies to the run game where they will need to draft two OL. Then two skill positions like RB and TE.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:44 am
So far so good!
March 12th, 2024 at 9:46 am
I like Carlton, but you can’t make an impact from missing games in the tub.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:47 am
It’s so depressing seeing every other team grabbing a good rb & we’re acting like we didn’t have the worst rushing offense in the league. Please get Mixon or Henry because licht can’t draft rbs it will be a wasted pick. A good run game will help baker, the offense, and the defense more than any other move.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:50 am
@Bucsfan: by all accounts Russ Wilson had become an unwelcome distraction in the locker room, if not an out right cancer. Additionally there is speculation in league circles that Wilson is washed. Baker on the other hand is loved in the Bucs locker room and has much more upside. Our QB problem is solved for the next few years as far as I’m concerned.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:51 am
Teddy, it’s a two-way street! Don’t forget these players have to want to come to Tampa Bay as well. Most have their mind set on one or two specific teams they’d like to play for.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:52 am
Get Danielle Hunter (at a reasonable price), Joe Mixon or Derrick Henry and Licht needs to be on the Bucs Mt. Rushmore, if not already.
Of course a few folks will be calling for Jason’s head by mid-season. See last year’s comments on here.
March 12th, 2024 at 9:57 am
I’m glad gm isn’t a position commonly poached from other teams like coordinators
March 12th, 2024 at 9:58 am
I see the Licht! Looking forward to Whitehead and/or Super Bowl champ Edwards returning to the Bucs. The Bucs D in early 2022 with three interchangeable safeties with one disguised as nickel was unstoppable until the injury bug bit.
March 12th, 2024 at 10:27 am
We got 48 sacks last year.
Year | Sacks | QB Hits
2020 | 48 | 116
2021 | 47 | 127
2022 | 45 | 104
2023 | 48 | 84
Total | 188 | 431
Sacks have been consistent. QB hits were down. Keep in mind that both Calijah and Yaya were rooks. Kancey missed three games while Diaby only started 7 games. It will be interesting to see what they do in year two.
Adding an edge rusher would be nice.
Bucs were:
3rd with 40.1% blitz
18th in hurries with 44
19th with 6.5% hurry
24th in QB knock downs 42
25th with 6.9% QB knock downs
T7th in sacks with 48
18th in pressures 134
What we need is a guy who can consistently get the pressures, hits and sacks without ‘for-to-wit’ giving up run stopping ability. A player like this makes those around him better.
As a side note, the Bucs pass defense numbers.
Yards 4232 (29th)
Air yards 2680 (31st)
Yards after catch 2373 (32nd)
Int 13 (t17)
TO 26 (14)
Who on FA market or in draft can we get who could fill in for CDIII at corner and who can we get to be that pass rusher that takes our pass rush over the top?
March 12th, 2024 at 10:27 am
I love Carlton Davis.
He was a hard hitting CB. He was a 2nd pick who became a legit #1 CB.
Jamar Chase said he’s the best CB he has ever faced.
You guys need to thank Carlton for his service. And not be an a-hole fan.
But I’m happy we got a 3rd round pick.
Carlton’s hard hitting ways has taken a toll on his body.
Zyon deserves a chance to start.
And hopefully we use our new 3rd round pick on a legit #3 CB.
I want to always have 4 legit outside corners on the roster.
2 starters. And 2 high draft picks as projects.
Izien is NOT an outside corner. He’s too short.
But he is a our starting nickle. And Hayes will be a solid nickle backup.
But I want to always have 4, tall, long, fast corners on the roster.
Draft a Dean clone. Or a Zyon Clone. Or both!
March 12th, 2024 at 10:27 am
Above was sources from Pro Football Reference
March 12th, 2024 at 10:35 am
@ Joe
Add this to your list –
– Sign T. Wirfs’ to a new 5 year deal.
March 12th, 2024 at 10:45 am
Licht seems to be getting more knowledgeable as a GM as well as a master manipulator. I mean he got Evans at a bargain, tagged Winfield and after looking at Mayfields contract it was definitely set up team friendly. I have always doubted Licht but after seeing these three deals I have to give him an “A”. If we can sign a very good edge rusher I would give him an “A+”.
March 12th, 2024 at 10:52 am
Bucs clearly have one of the best GM’s in the league yet we still have fans complaining.
I am confident JL will address Edge, ILB, RB, S and TE either via free agency and/or the draft.
March 12th, 2024 at 11:08 am
D Cone Says
“Kicker= One year with team and got a deal.
QB= One year with the team and got a deal.
David=Over a decade of Production. Left out there hanging. Shameful.”
Did you ever consider that Lavante David has said to take his time? Remember last year? Same thing. David will return as a Buc so long as he doesn’t retire. Delaying it gives him more time off to relax.
Rest assured, he more than likely has an acceptable offer on the table, and they are waiting to make it official.
March 12th, 2024 at 11:08 am
People talking about getting Mixon or Henry. Guys Yes, the name sounds enticing but there is a reason why they were cut. get a Vet Edge rusher, draft a stud CB and then build up the Oline, to me that is probably our weak point. Daniele Hunter would be my next target.
March 12th, 2024 at 11:09 am
Marine Buc Says
“@ Joe
Add this to your list –
– Sign T. Wirfs’ to a new 5 year deal.”
Why? He has another year on his contract. When have you seen Licht renew a contract a year before expiration?
March 12th, 2024 at 11:11 am
The Bucs are rarely active in the first part of free agency, outside of re-signing their own guys.
Trades? Sure. But usually they hold off on FA until after the draft.
March 12th, 2024 at 11:36 am
Mariota a Deadskin for $10 mil? WTF?
March 12th, 2024 at 11:50 am
Anyone find it interesting that Canales and company invested 153 million dollars in two guards in one day?
March 12th, 2024 at 12:07 pm
@ Bonzai
Why?
#1 – Because it would actually help our current cap situation
#2 – It would prevent Wirfs from ever getting close to free agency
#3 – Because he is our best player by far with Winfield a close second
March 12th, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Bonzai … ‘Sign T. Wirfs’ to a new 5 year deal.” Why? He has another year on his contract. When have you seen Licht renew a contract a year before expiration?’
That’s true Bonzai, Wirfs in on his 5th-year contract costing us $18.6 mil in CAP Hit. Problem for us is that there’s no way to reduce that CAP Hit without giving him a new contract. It all counts in this 5th year.
That’s a significant CAP Hit when we’re already eating $36 mil in Dead CAP plus Jensen’s $6 mil CAP Hit plus Shaq’s $14.2 mil charge (might end up being more than that). And oh ya, with Winfield on the $17.1 mil franchise tag, we get charged that full amount as a CAP Hit also. Bucs now have relatively few open avenues left to increase salary CAP space for future signings.
March 12th, 2024 at 12:14 pm
Marine Buc … Ha, you beat me to it.
March 12th, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Makes sense.
March 12th, 2024 at 12:29 pm
@ DR
And just because our GM didn’t extend Devin White doesn’t mean he shouldn’t extend T. Wirfs’…
That is comparing apples to oranges IMO.
March 12th, 2024 at 12:34 pm
Everybody keeps saying Derrick Henry is washed up didn’t pay attention to the titans at all last year. Stats was still better than white at his advanced age & white probably was top 5 in snaps.
March 12th, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Kudos for the best GM in the AFC South. It’s not easy building a winning culture in which players place winning playoff games, maintain a core group of players leading and fighting for SBs over being the highest paid players in whatever position they are in.
In the end, it’s about players sacrificing a little to have playoff success. And GMs convincing young individuals to want to do what’s best for their families and that includes being part of team success leading to more personal success. That’s not easy in a world that places so much on success confirmation by contract value rather than consistent playoff success. Daniel Jones got $80M guaranteed on $140M deal. He won’t see $140M and will be a backup in 2025 or a bridge guy starting for a team picking a top 2 QB in the draft. Baker will see all $100M of his 3 year deal and then some. With some division championships, playoff runs and amazing memories with a core group of guy. Reminds me of Brady’s second year when they brought everyone back after the SB. This offseason is not that obviously, but the vibe and player emphasis on team success is the winning culture.
March 12th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
Will we get an compensatory pick if Devin White signs with someone else in this year’s draft?
March 12th, 2024 at 1:54 pm
So from the info Ive gathered…we have
1st…pick 26
2nd…pick 57
3rd…pick 89
3rd…pick 92
4th…pick 125
6th…pick 220
7th…pick 246
We need to use one of those 3rds for a trade up.
March 12th, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Resign and extend Chris Godwin to free up some cap room.
Sign worse and Winfield to long-term deals.
Look at signing AJ Dillon or another decent bruiser back who can get first downs and can block like Lorenzo Neal
Sign Jordan Whitehead or another free agent safety.
Have a great draft and get a starting center, an edge, some linebacker help and a cornerback
March 12th, 2024 at 3:20 pm
Jackson Powers is a must…so is Cooper Dejean…ugg i hate this
Centers available in the draft…
JPJ
Zach Frazier
Graham Barton
Christian Haynes
Van Pran
March 12th, 2024 at 3:56 pm
Wow so technical u guys shud try out for management in the CFL if they hire you it shows they b stupid with soooo much brainiacks on this site I really bet JL is taking all u r knowledge & shoving it where the sun don’t shine
March 12th, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Jordan Whitehead!!
March 12th, 2024 at 4:48 pm
How would the Lions had reacted if the Bucs offered Dean instead of Davis?
March 12th, 2024 at 5:14 pm
I think it is good that for the most part JL managed to keep the band together. But, I do see other teams getting better and not sure that the status quo is good enough. Others have pointed out the RBs being signed elsewhere. I hope some positions can be addressed before all the players of value are scooped up elsewhere. It’s not like the Bucs have a ton of draft capital to fill some obvious holes.
I also want to make one comment on Cousins to the Falcons. I do think that makes them better, but I also think people overvalue his talent. In his first six years as a starter (nine years in the league), he made 2 playoff runs, the same as Baker, playing 3 games, going 1-2 (vs Baker going 2-2). Since then he made one more playoff run losing in the first round. So in 12 years in the league he made the playoffs as a starter one season more than Baker.
Personally I would rather have Baker at $30MM/year than Cousins at $45MM/year. He is younger, not coming off a major injury, and has a better playoff record at 2-2 than Cousins at 1-3.
March 12th, 2024 at 8:35 pm
Biggest priority is Pass rusher now. Then safety. Would love to see whitehead back. Draft CB, another pass rusher also get 1 in FA , interior Olineman , LB and some Dlineman. Offense will get better with seasoned playcaller. Not a shot at canales. We got weapons. D needs most of the help.
March 12th, 2024 at 8:36 pm
I’m telling ya JOE if we can land a legit pass rusher get a decent safety to pair with AW31 and now get another CB our defense will be top 5 maybe even better but gotta have a pass rush for that to happen
March 12th, 2024 at 8:57 pm
Are you kidding me? Russel Wilson??? Hasn’t even been average for 2 years. Don’t eat 89 million for the heck of it. Other than yesterday’s star, can we remember MeShawn? AB? Might as well have invited Ebola, Covid, and the latest flesh eating bacteria that North Korea, China, Russia (and I’m sure the US and multiple third world Middle East countries) are trying to develop/perfect. Could think of no worst candidate in the NFL who could pollute a locker room more. Can’t imagine him welcome as a Buc if he gave his 37+ million to us to sign him.
March 12th, 2024 at 10:46 pm
The reason why people care about Russ because Russ had similar stats as Baker last year, better history, and is far cheaper.
It becomes Russ + keep Davis + sign an edge vs resign Baker
Baker has to significantly outperform Wilson to overcome that