After speaking to Bucs general manager Jason Licht and the 2025 NFL Combine, it’s evident that he and everyone else in Tampa Bay’s organization has what it takes to win another championship right now. Once again, the feeling is that they might just be a piece or two away.

Bucs GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I’ve never seen a more cohesive group. Our chemistry is off the charts, ” Licht said. “We showed that we were competitive to the end. I think we’re there. We just need to continue to build.”

Licht went on to admit that the defensive side is where Tampa Bay really needs to improve the most. Yes, they can do that in the draft and continue to develop players, but the Bucs also need some proven commodities and impact players. A run of the mill free agent signing is one thing, but finding a proven game changer is another.

In order to acquire players like that, such as Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett or Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, it’s gong to require more draft capital and assets than usual.

If Licht feels they can win it all this next season, is this the move they need to make?

Are The Bucs Making A Splash?

Bucs director of player personnel Rob McCartney and GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“It’s tough,” Licht began. “There’s players, I can’t mention by name, they’re still with other teams, we all know how great they are. It’s not as easy as just picking up the phone and saying we’ll offer you whatever it is. The team has to want to trade him and then we have to do a deal with them.

“You have to weigh in how it’s going to affect your future, what the age of the player is, is he going to be on the decline a few years later where you have a huge dead cap number and given up multiple high picks. I’m not saying that we would never do that, it’s just a lot of things that you have to take into consideration.”

The Bucs seem a little hesitant to go for the big fish out there, but that’s because they’ve found great quality in other ways. One of Licht’s crowning achievements as the general manager of the Bucs was the trade he made with the Giants for outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul that cost them just a third-round pick since Tampa Bay swapped fourth-rounders with New York that gave the Bucs the better pick.

One season later, they signed Shaq Barrett to a one-year prove-it deal and he played so well that they franchised him. One  season after that, the Bucs were Super Bowl champs.

“We like the smart deals where you don’t have to pay as much but you get quality production,” Licht said. “I’m never going to say that we’re not going to make a dynamic trade or a big splash. We try to pride ourselves on if the right one comes available, we will look into it.”

The Bucs Can Ascend For A Long Time

Part of why Licht might not make the blockbuster trade is because the Bucs are in a sweet spot with their team. They have great locker room chemistry and while it’s headlined by veterans like Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the influx of youth that they have is what is operating the machine.

Bucs C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Look at draft picks from the last two years like Calijah Kancey, Cody Mauch and Yaya Diaby in 2023 and Graham Barton, Bucky Irving, Tykee Smith and Jalen McMillan in 2024. These are all the future of this group that is already winning and making the postseason.

“I don’t think it’s playing safe. That’s a wrong word to use, responsible may be better,” Licht said. “We’re in a situation right now where we have a handful of very, very good veterans, Mike and Lavonte let’s say. The rest of our team is pretty young and we’re ascending. We can ascend for a long time, and when I say ascending, that doesn’t mean we’re not out of the realm of competing for a Super Bowl championship.

“You can keep drafting well, keep making responsible signings, we can be in this sweet spot for a long time. If you make too many of those splash things and give up your future picks and dead cap room, then that sweet spot goes away.”