yeah i think Licht is probably fatigued and is 'quite quitting' so to speak
But....with a firing you get severance as opposed to "Retiring early" so unfortunately we being the businessman that Jason is, we are going to suffer a bit until he is ultimately let go; maybe they do both Bowles and Licht in January 2027 but the Glazers may not blink.
That would be my thinking. I was surprised they kept Bowles, but I would imagine that Licht advocated for it. If they sink, like I fear they will, I suspect we get a new GM/Coach combo for 2027.
I think Otton is good for his role, he's not who the offense runs through so you can't have a superstar at every position. If you compare all the tightends in the league he's a guy that you just need to play his role as most tightends. His stats is favorable to majority on this list. His blocking has improved but he just needs to be able to absorb contact better
https://overthecap.com/position/tight-end
@firebowles2026 I'm not sure your assessment of Otton is echoed throughout the league. I've been reading he's considered to be a top 10 TE. I'm OK with the Bucs keeping him, and the price isn't all that bad for a top 10 at the position. Plus, he hasn't missed hardly any games due to injury.
Top 10? In what world. He's not top 20
Among TE's in 2025:
Receptions - 12th
Yards - 15th
TD's - Tied for 50th
YAC - 12th
Among TE's in 2024:
Receptions - 12th
Yards - 14th
TD's - 15th
YAC - 8th
And that's on an offense where's he is pretty far down on the weapon list. I'd say he's probably top a 20 TE in the NFL. Give me the 20 guys that are better.
The stats don't outline his miscues and drops and mental mistakes:
Top TE: (no order) 20 listed
Sam Laporta
AJ Barner
Brenton Strange
Dalton Kincaid
Dallas Goedert
Oronde Gadsden
George Kittle
Coltson Loveland
Harold Fannin
Jake Ferguson
Brock Bowers
Tyler Warren
Kyle Pitts
Trey McBride
Juwon Johnson
Tucker Kraft
Travis Kelce (does he count? IDK)
TJ Hockenson
Mark Andrews
David Njoku
...
His league:
Hunter Henry
Dalton Schultz
Chig Okonkwo
Mason Taylor
Dawson Knox
Evan Engram
Pat Freiermuth
Cole Kmet
Isiah Likely
Mike Gesicki
Darren Waller
I think Otton is good for his role, he's not who the offense runs through so you can't have a superstar at every position. If you compare all the tightends in the league he's a guy that you just need to play his role as most tightends. His stats is favorable to majority on this list. His blocking has improved but he just needs to be able to absorb contact better
Every time he touches it I assume he drops it somehow...
Otton is the face of the disappointing 2025 season with his gifted INTs in prime time (x2)
you get rid of him just to take the stink off what was one of our most disappointing seasons in franchise history
Cade Otton= Todd Bowles
sickening that these are the 2 guys we retain
Kind of like they did with Chris Conte in the offseason after "the stiffarm heard around the world" just to get the stink off...As for Otten one turnover in primtime caused is bad enough 2 is inexcusable, especially given the circumstances of when and how they happened.
I will be honest with a proper coaching staff that can be fixed with Otton. Alstott started to have fumbling issues but it was addressed so I woulnd't be down on Otton because of that. The problem is Otton and KG are making $17 mil combined per year when they are far down the totem pole for touches.
Godwin is going to be the slot and will be projected to receive the lion share of touches.
McMillan/Egbuka on the perimeter.
T. Johnson and Irving.
And that is assuming the Bucs do not draft or sign another WR. If Shep is back it diminishes Otton and KG touches.
With $17 mil per year you can obtain any off ball LB or mid tier edge you want.
I don't care about Otton, I care about the fact that we're letting the same guy who has blown numerous picks on the front 7 (in addition to FA dollars), retain his role to, once again, try to rebuild the front 7.
We're not a serious franchise.
I wouldn't throw in the towel yet because if Licht can land two starting caliber defenders to go with Anzalone that helps the front seven significantly. The problem is if Licht choose to sit on his hands and go for blue light specials with the front seven and hope rookies bail out this team again on offense and defense.