Winning With Jason Licht (Part III) — “A Victory Lap”
February 27th, 2025
All this week at the NFL Combine, high-ranking team suits have been plotting, scheming, angling, misdirecting and investigating for the start of free agency in 11 short days.
So Joe thought this would be a great time to roll out a multi-part series on Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht.
Licht’s made many defining moves that turned the Bucs into a Super Bowl champ and a lasting contender that has since won four consecutive division titles.
During a private sitdown last year, Joe asked new Raiders general manager John Spytek, the former Bucs assistant GM, to field Joe’s questions on all things Licht.
Spytek and Licht were very competitive inside One Buc Palace when it came to scouting and player evaluation. They would make strong their cases for players and dig in — playfully and professionally — when they didn’t get the same level of agreement from the other guy.
Asked to name the best Licht draft pick, meaning a standout player that Spytek would put in Licht’s personal win column, he named iconic Bucs receiver Chris Godwin without hesitation.
Spytek and the scouting staff liked Godwin, he said, but it was Licht who was much deeper love and on board the Godwin train early in the scouting process.
“Chris Godwin was Jason’s guy from the start,” Spytek said. “And then the Rose Bowl happened; he played a fantastic Rose Bowl. Jason kind of did a victory lap on us like, ‘Told you guys.’ The more time we spent with Chris, he became exactly the guy that you guys see.
“I just think Jason deserves a ton of credit for that. Godwin’s going to retire as the second-best Bucs receiver of all-time behind a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”
What a third-round pick Godwin was, the 11th receiver taken in the 2017 NFL Draft.
And guess who agrees with Spytek? Some guy named Mike Evans.
Joe asked the same question of Evans and he pointed to Godwin, too.
“People don’t realize what an ultimate pro he is,” Evans said of Godwin. “I’m not saying he’s a better receiver than me, but I’ve learned a ton from him in all aspects of the game, really from Day 1.”
In a future piece in this series, Joe will share the words of someone who disagrees with Spytek and Evans on this subject, and tells a very intriguing draft-night story.
Winning With Jason Licht (Part II) — The Change Of Scenery List
Winning With Jason Licht (Part I) — The Turning Point Signing
Special Guest Jason Licht Joins The Ira Kaufman Podcast — Live From The NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
February 27th, 2025 at 6:29 am
Chris and Mike were epic draft picks. We need a couple epic defensive draft picks this year because i don’t see us delving into the free agent pond.
February 27th, 2025 at 6:35 am
Excellent Licht deep dive. I’ve really enjoyed all 3 parts
February 27th, 2025 at 7:08 am
Licht has done a fine job….still lots of holes in this roster.
But Licht gets praise every week from Bucs fans and media outlets….wheres the Todd Bowles appreciation post for keeping this organization afloat when everyone thought we’d go back NFC south basement post Brady?
Bowles deserves more credit than Licht for rebuilding the strong culture around here.
February 27th, 2025 at 7:10 am
If Licht was so committed to Godwin, seems like it would be awfully hard to let him walk now in FA. I imagine Licht will find a way to keep Chris in a Bucs uniform. If he does, I’ll be a very happy man. Of course that is if he’s also able to bring in a proven DE in FA. It’s that ole chew gum and walk at the same time cliche. Licht is savvy enough to do both.
February 27th, 2025 at 7:30 am
Great stuff Joe. You are making Ira proud.
February 27th, 2025 at 7:34 am
Looking like Godwin’s rehab is gonna extend thru free -agent season, should make this easier for us
February 27th, 2025 at 7:41 am
Joe, I really like this series!! I’m a Bucs junkie and I’ve learned something insightful from each one.
Very cool behind the scenes stuff from this very special era of division dominance that new/forgetful fans take for granted.
February 27th, 2025 at 9:21 am
Someone disagrees about Godwin because of something that happened on draft night?
February 27th, 2025 at 11:52 am
If Licht was THAT in love with Godwin – then how in the world did he have the guts or patience to wait until the middle of the 3rd round (#84) to draft him.
I was also very much wanting us to draft Godwin pre-draft that year – and many/most prognosticators had Chris going in the 2nd round. So when we took safety Justin Evans at #50 in round 2- I was pissed thinking we just missed out on Godwin. But then, a couple hours later I was super stoked that we were able to draft him with the 3rd round pick.
5 WRs came off the board between #50 and #84 (including JuJu Smith-Schuster and Cooper Kupp). How Licht was able to resist the temptation to move up and get his guy Godwin (our guy in my GM wannabee mind) – and know to just sit tight until Godwin fell to us at #84 – is beyond me…. and its also a testament to Jason Licht’s amazing draft instincts.
After that draft 8 years ago – I have never since questioned Licht’s decisions regarding moving up for – or waiting for a player he really likes to fall to the Bucs next draft slot….
February 27th, 2025 at 4:25 pm
Well said Pickgrin, I wasn’t following it that closely at the time. That is a massive testament to JL’s skill at the draft.
If he had some capable player development coaching on defense, he’d look like a HOF GM by now.
February 27th, 2025 at 5:19 pm
If Licht could draft well on the defensive side this team would be elite.