Bucs’ GM Jason Licht Awarded Contract Extension

According to Ira Kaufman of JoeBucsFan.com, Bucs GM Jason Licht received a contract extenstion today that will keep him in Tampa Bay through 2019.

Licht first came to Tampa Bay in 2014 after serving as vice president of player personnel for the Arizona Cardinals the year before. With the contract extenstion, he will now be at the forefront of the Bucs’ last six drafts after the event concludes in 2019.

There was speculation on whether or not Licht would be extended past this season in spite of the team’s 2018 performance. For now, that thought will be put on hold.

“I think one of the positive signs in any situation is re-signing your own players,” Glazer said. “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.” - Bucs co-owner Joel Glazer, via JoeBucsFan.com

Licht is responsible for drafting starters such as Mike Evans, Jameis Winston, Kwon Alexander, Ali Marpet, Donovan Smith, Justin Evans, and Kendell Beckwith - not to mention potential stars in Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard.

While his free-agent record is not the best, teams in the NFL primarily build through the draft and as long as you are doing that well, things work out for the most part.

At the least, the Bucs need some sort of stability heading into 2018 and now they have it. Congrats, Jason - and good luck.