Jason Licht, the General Manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is widely regarded as one of the top GMs in the NFL. While no one is perfect, he has made more good decisions than bad, keeping the Bucs relevant since Tom Brady's retirement—not just relevant, but division champions. He consistently delivers successful draft classes and effectively re-signs key free agents. There’s not much to question him on, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t ask.
Licht has built a team capable of competing year in and year out, which is a goal for every franchise. But when does being competitive stop being enough? When is the right time to take a big risk to elevate your team to the next level? As Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman said recently about his team's personnel decisions, “We can’t be afraid to fail.”
Looking back at the Bucs’ two Super Bowl teams, both started with a strong young core of talent. What pushed them over the edge were the risks they took. In 2002, the Bucs made the bold choice to fire Head Coach Tony Dungy and replace him with Jon Gruden. Dungy had turned the franchise around after 14 consecutive losing seasons, leading the team to consistent competitiveness. However, the time came for a pivotal decision.
That 2002 core was built through the draft, featuring stars like John Lynch, Ronde Barber, Mike Alstott, Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, and others. But they also added talent through trades and free agency—Keyshawn Johnson, Brad Johnson, Simeon Rice, and Keenan McCardell, among others. Without these additions, the Bucs wouldn’t have won their first Super Bowl in 2002.
Fast forward to the 2020 team, which boasted young homegrown talent like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Vita Vea, and Lavonte David. They also brought in key players via trades and free agency, including Jason Pierre-Paul, Ryan Jensen, Shaq Barrett, and later, Ndamukong Suh, Rob Gronkowski, and Leonard Fournette. Without these acquisitions, the Bucs wouldn’t have captured the Super Bowl in 2020.
I’m sure Licht explored every potential player acquisition, but was a move not made because the cost was too high? Or does Licht believe this team isn’t ready for a championship run this year? While he values draft picks, supplementing the roster with trades and free agents is often crucial for success. As Roseman pointed out, “I don’t think that you have great success without taking great risks at times.” His Eagles have seen those risks pay off, and Licht himself made bold moves five years ago. “When there are opportunities to be aggressive for the right players, we’re not going to sit on our hands,” Roseman emphasized. “We can’t be afraid to fail.”
I hope that when Licht feels the Bucs are ready to take that leap, he won’t hesitate to swing for the fences. After all, you can’t hit a home run if you don’t take a swing!
Not sure what swinging for the fences means in the context of our team but, Tampa is certianly ready to make a Super Bowl run without giving up future draft capital to do it. It's weird...
What pushed them over the edge were the risks they took. In 2002, the Bucs made the bold choice to fire Head Coach Tony Dungy and replace him with Jon Gruden. Dungy had turned the franchise around after 14 consecutive losing seasons, leading the team to consistent competitiveness. However, the time came for a pivotal decision.
I think that pivotal decision actually worked out but it was in pretty serious doubt for a while. I thought the plan was Mariucci, but then Gruden became the every expensive fallback? Either way it worked, but it was close to being a miss!
Fact of the matter is that Licht has made 1 "swing for the fence" signing in the Baker Mayfield era...that was Haason Reddick this past offseason.
other than that, you've had Baker Mayfield, Ben Brederson and Chase McLaughlin as other notable free agent signings in the last 3 seasons.
Given Bucs have already beaten teams like Seahawks and 49ers, tends to play Philadelphia well (sans earlier this year), and teams like Green Bay and Detroit just lost home games to inferior opponents; the NFC is wide open.
The Bucs injury issues have been brutal this year but there's hope with Bucky and Godwin to come back (eventually) and Goedeke practicing. Even Evans is a possibility to come back for playoffs.
question becomes who was traded at the deadline that was worth what was given up? Not much, so Licht did the right move by standing pat.
Swinging for the fences doesn't need to be making splash moves in season where you will pay even more of a premium than the offseason. Would have loved to add a MLB or DE but i'm sure the asking prices were ridiculous. (Although report was Jets would have taken a 4th for Quincy Williams, would have jumped all over that).
They need to sign a good FA or to at those positions in the off season though.
+1Although report was Jets would have taken a 4th for Quincy Williams, would have jumped all over that.
The move was iOL but Licht is pot committed to Barton and Bredeson. Because guess what? RG isn’t the problem. It’s LG and C. Bredeson is stuck on the roster in 2026 but I have to believe they try to upgrade him with Joe Bitonio or a Day 2 pick. Bredeson should be the backup iOL next year.
TE is another need. Otton is in “we’ll play you but not pay you” realm like White. And Durham flat out sucks. I expect Mark Andrews and a rookie next year.
Top teams in NFC are all very close. Feel like any given Sunday there. Baker has that ability to get it done in close games. I like our chances without a move. I would have liked one but I get they like their draft choices. They've done a good job with the drafts. Can't argue too much there. I think if we don't get it this year we do have a window open. But we will need to be aggressive at some point to get players we need to get over the top if we can't get it this year. Evaluate and go get them. Id say 2-3 year window sounds about right including this year depending on how they keep the ball rolling. Also have to think other teams in South will get better and take over at some point. So they will need to capitalize on this window.
