There is no denying that one of the biggest factors in the Bucs’ offensive success last season stemmed from the play of the offensive line. From left to right tackle, Tampa Bay has built an impressive collection of offensive linemen. What makes it even more impressive is considering that four of the five (excluding free-agent signee Ben Bredeson) joined the team via the NFL Draft.

General manager Jason Licht joined Monday’s Pewter Report Podcast and discussed the way he rebuilt the group upfront. Licht also shared how the current group compares to the 2020 offensive line that paved the way for a Super Bowl win and why each of them are pricks (in a good way).

Bucs GM Jason Licht: “We Have One Of The Better Offensive Lines In The League, If Not The Best”

To understand the state of the Bucs offensive line now, one has to look back in time to understand just how well it panned out. After the 2021 season, the team lost its entire starting interior. Pro Bowl left guard Ali Marpet suddenly retired at age 28, center Ryan Jensen suffered a career-ending knee injury at the beginning of training camp in 2022, and right guard Alex Cappa left in free agency.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and former C Ryan Jensen – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Each of these moves could have sent Tampa Bay’s offense into a spiral, but Jason Licht acted quickly and suddenly the room is in a much better shape.

Even better than it was before Marpet, Jensen, and Cappa were in the picture – and bookended by left tackle Donovan Smith and a rookie right tackle Tristan Wirfs.

Luke Goedeke was the first player added into the fold, drafted in the second round of 2022. Originally drafted to fill Marpet’s void, Goedeke struggled mightily at left guard but found his home at right tackle, allowing Wirfs to make a seamless shift to protect quarterback Baker Mayfield’s blindside in 2023.

Cody Mauch would then be drafted in the second round the following year and has developed into a plus right guard. It took a couple years to truly fill the hole Jensen left at center, but Graham Barton was the Bucs’ first-round pick in 2024 and has the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler.

Bucs RG Cody Mauch and C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

While Jason Licht admitted that he does not have the superpower of identifying good offensive linemen, it sure seems that way with how these top draft picks have played in Tampa Bay to begin their careers.

“No, I don’t have that,” Licht said of possessing said superpower. “I’m glad it worked out. We invested a lot… high picks, first- and second-round picks into that and then got [left guard] Ben [Bredeson] as a free agent. Those guys, they better work out because of the investment that we had, and they were the right kind of guys. It’s awesome seeing how it has worked out. I think we have one of the better offensive lines in the league, if not the best.

“I think they’ll show that this year and like I said, that’s the most important room. I’ve said this many times in the organization; making sure you have the right kind of guys but then also the talent level that they are. We should have them – I’d like to keep this line intact for a long time. Fortunately, they’re all very young so that could happen.”

How Does The Bucs’ Young, Talented O-Line Compare To The 2020 Unit?

It says a lot that Tristan Wirfs, the longest tenured offensive linemen, is still 26 years old and locked up on a long-term deal. Ben Bredeson is the elder statesman, having turned 27 years old in February. He is also locked in after re-signing on a three-year deal this offseason.

To keep the offensive line intact will mean re-signing all the recent draft picks to long-term deals, starting with extending Luke Goedeke, who is in a contract year. There is a scenario where they all remain in town until the end of the 2020s, which would be remarkable and only increase the chances for this team to have prolonged success.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Having such a strong offensive front brought up the question – how do they compare to the 2020 team that protected Tom Brady and played a pivotal role in winning a Super Bowl?

“Well, the first thing that comes to mind is, you know, Ryan Jensen,” Licht said. “Such a seasoned vet that we had and I believe we made him the highest-paid center at the time. Just what he brought and his tenacity, he’s a prick out there which I like. I think of him but that kind of bled into the whole room there.

“I think we’re still taking things from him – just like what Logan Mankins did for us kind of stayed and had remnants for a long time that helped develop Ali Marpet. It’s hard for me to say that it’s more talented but I will say I think right now it’s overall, I think it’s a little bit more talented group than what we had if you consider all five positions.”

It’s hard to argue with Licht here.

Wirfs has blossomed from 2020 to now. Luke Goedeke is a stronger, more consistent offensive tackle than Donovan Smith was. It gets a little tricky comparing the interiors, as the edge would go to Marpet over Bredeson at left guard. Should Graham Barton live up to his potential, it would be push between him and Jensen. At right guard, Cody Mauch is only improving and already proving to be better than Cappa.

None of this is even considering the “prick” factor.

Jason Licht Loves That The Bucs O-Line Embodies A Prick Mindset

Back when Baker Mayfield inked his three-year, $100 million deal last March, Jason Licht famously called Mayfield a prick.

“He sets the tone for this team with his … well, for lack of a better word – on a [scale] of one [to] 10, he’s a 10 on the prick scale,” Licht said then. “That’s what you want in your offensive linemen – and Baker is kind of an offensive lineman in a quarterback’s body. “It’s what has rallied this team this year. He’s a big part of it.”

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It came as no surprise then that when Licht was asked whether the team has any other equally tough, nose to the grindstone players, he mentioned every single one of the offensive linemen up front while giving another nod to Mayfield.

“Well for the position it’s just kind of rare to see,” Licht said referring to his Mayfield being a prick comment. “The way that he plays, you take the good with the bad, sometimes you’re holding your breath. He’s just not going to take shit from anybody, and I love it. It energizes the entire team, especially the offensive line.

“I love the way Luke plays, I would put him in that category. I love the way Cody plays. Cody is through the whistle, through the echoes of the whistle on every play. There’s nothing more fun for me than seeing Cody pull out in space and just demolishing somebody. It’s what I live for when I’m watching the offensive line. Luke does the same thing, and Graham is one of those guys, I think I’ve said before, it kind of reminds you of an accountant by day, but a murderer by night. He turns into a different person on the field.

“Ben and Tristan in their own right are the same way, so I’m not just including them. It’s a fun group to watch, I think that’s the reason for our success with the offensive line, the run game, pass protection and everything. They all play so well together, and they all have the same mindset.”

The Bucs are hoping to continue the offensive success they had last season, and the fact they are returning all 11 starters is a good place to start. Most importantly, having a talented, tough offensive line increases the chances for the team to improve this season.

Watch Bucs GM Jason Licht On The Pewter Report Podcast

Bucs general manager Jason Licht’s comments about the team’s offensive line are only the tip of the iceberg during his one-hour appearance on the Pewter Report Podcast with Scott Reynolds and Matt Matera on Monday. You can watch it in its entirety below.