The NFL Annual Meeting at The Breakers in West Palm Beach, Fla. served as the next step of a Bucs offseason that is leading up to the franchise’s 50th season, a topic that general manager Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles and co-owner Joel Glazer had plenty to say about when speaking with the media on Monday and Tuesday.

Jason Licht: “It’s Awesome That I’m Here” For Bucs’ 50th Season

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

Jason Licht became the Bucs’ fifth general manager in franchise history in 2014, which would be the team’s 39th season. So, it wasn’t long before he would be a part of the organization’s 40th season.

But given the struggles on the field throughout the first several years of his tenure – a 27-53 record and four seasons of double-digit losses between 2014-2018 – it took a major turnaround for him to still be in his position as the team prepares for its 50th season.

“It’s awesome that I’m here for that. There were times I thought I’d [only] make it to the 44th season,” Licht said with a laugh. “So, it’s awesome to be a part of it. I’m really looking forward to watching this documentary. It’s really cool to be a part of it.”

Of course, considering what happened after that 44th season in 2019 – a Super Bowl and four straight NFC South titles since – it’s not a surprise that Licht is still around for the 50th season festivities, which will include a team-produced documentary, something Licht referenced and Pewter Report publisher Scott Reynolds has taken part in.

And as much as it isn’t a surprise that Licht is still around for the franchise’s 50th season, it also won’t be a surprise when one day, he’s celebrated with an induction into the Bucs Ring of Honor inside Raymond James Stadium. He has presided over the most successful era in team history, one that he’s working to keep building upon in 2025.

Licht would love nothing more than to celebrate 50 seasons with the franchise’s third-ever Lombardi Trophy. That would sure be some story, right? Kind of like Tampa Bay becoming the first team in NFL history to ever win a Super Bowl on its home field.

Todd Bowles: “A Blessing” To Be A Part Of “Historic Franchise”

Bucs GM Jason Licht, co-owners Darcie Glazer Kassewitz and Joel Glazer, head coach Todd Bowles and senior football consultant Bruce Arians – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles has already done something no other head coach in team history accomplished, which is win three straight division titles. Now, he’ll lead the charge as the team plays its 50th season. What does that mean to the 61-year-old coach?

“It means I’m getting old,” Bowles said with a laugh.

He went on further, though.

“It’s great to be a part of such a historic franchise,” he said. “I’m sure there are many people before me and many great coaches before me that have a lot of stories to tell. Mine are probably minimal in the grand scheme of things right now. You had colorful guys like Bruce [Arians]. You had [Tony] Dungy that was calm. Obviously, you had [Jon] Gruden that was colorful as well.

“So, you had your colorful coaches and you had more calm demeanor coaches. From [Arians and Gruden], it doesn’t take much to be [considered] calm when you’re [following] those two guys right there. Great coaches in their own right. They had a lot of great players that have been through here, so to even be a part of it is a blessing.”

Bowles has an important place in Tampa Bay’s history. He became a Buccaneer in 2019 when he served as Bruce Arians’ defensive coordinator. He then played a pivotal role in the team’s 2020 Super Bowl run, with his defense putting together an impressive string of games in the playoffs, culminating with holding Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs out of the end zone in Super Bowl LV.

After the 2021 season, Bowles became Arians’ successor as head coach. He built on the NFC South championship the team won in 2021 by winning another in 2022 (despite an 8-9 record). In the two seasons since, he has gone 9-8 with a run to the NFC Divisional Round and 10-7 with the Bucs’ fourth straight division title.

The immediate focus for Bowles in year four is getting Tampa Bay a fifth straight division crown, and that would get him and his team an important step closer to capturing the ultimate prize.

Joel Glazer: “It’s Been A Wonderful Ride” With The Bucs

Bucs owners Joel and Bryan Glazer – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Joel Glazer worked alongside his father, the late Malcolm Glazer, to purchase the Bucs in 1995 before working with his brother, Bryan Glazer, to gain approval for what would eventually be Raymond James Stadium. Somewhat fittingly, the franchise’s 50th season in 2025 will mark 30 years of the Glazer Family heading up the organization.

Malcolm Glazer passed away in June of 2014 and was inducted into the Bucs Ring of Honor in 2017. Since their father’s passing, Joel, Bryan, Darcie, Ed, Avram and Kevin Glazer have continued to lead the way for the franchise. Throughout the Glazers’ tenure with Tampa Bay, the team has won two Super Bowls and eight division titles while making 12 total playoff appearances.

After some lean years in the 2010s, the Bucs have since embarked on arguably their best era ever, winning their second Lombardi Trophy in 2020 and capturing four straight NFC South championships since. The success has meant a lot to the Glazers, and Joel Glazer said Tuesday that being able to lead the way into the 50th season is something he and his family are honored by.

“It means everything. We’ve been around 30 years and it’s been a wonderful ride,” Glazer said. “There’s nothing like the NFL. There’s nothing like gameday, there’s nothing like interacting with our fans, the community and when it’s all going well. When it’s all going well, it’s just a special feeling to see people happy and thrilled and excited, coming together. It’s what it’s all about. I will sit there and family members will sit there on certain gamedays, when you see great things happen, you get almost teary eyed because you just see how happy it makes everybody.

“The Buccaneers are such an important part of the community, so being able to be a part of it, being able to be involved, being able to help lead the team and guide it, it’s an honor. It’s a special responsibility, and it’s just so meaningful to us.”