Re-signing current players a big factor in Licht’s future

We’ve heard general manager Jason Licht preach about the importance of keeping their own players in the past. He’s held true to his word when he was able to sign players like Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David, Mike Evans and Cameron Brate to extensions. Little did we know the Glazers have been taking note of each re-signing.

Speaking to Joe Bucs Fan, Buccaneers Co-Chairman Joel Glazer provided a bit of insight on how the ownership group evaluates Licht’s job.

A lot goes into it and, you know, I think one of the positive signs in any situation is re-signing your own players. And when you start getting on a trend that you’re re-signing your own players, that means you are drafting well. If you’re drafting well, generally that means you’re going to start having success. So you saw Cameron Brate and Mike Evans [re-signed]. We got a couple of young guys with contracts that are coming up that we know we’re going to want to keep. So that to me is the most positive sign of, you know, what’s happening with the general manager. There’s lots of aspects to the whole thing, not just drafting, there’s free agency and ultimately your record. So it’s one of those things that tells its own story over time.

Continuity plays a big role in being successful. Tampa Bay has done a good job with bringing back current players, it just hasn’t translated to the field — at least not yet.

Bucs have big-time contracts coming up soon for players like Jameis Winston, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, and Kwon Alexander. Issuing the right contracts for free agent pick-ups plays a crucial role in what the team is capable of doing with their own.

So far, they haven’t had cap issues with Licht’s front office team. And based off of that, Licht and Co. should be graded very high.