Bucs GM Jason Licht signed to an extension

The man responsible for putting together talent on the Buccaneers roster will be sticking around for a bit.

A report from Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud says the Bucs signed general manager Jason Licht to an extension through 2022. The deal includes a club option for 2023 and it runs parallel with the deal head coach Bruce Arians signed.

However, this deal had already happened some time ago.

A few days after hiring Arians, the team signed Licht to a new five-year contract, including a club option for 2023.

Terms of the contract are undisclosed, but it’s clear that without Licht remaining as GM, the Bucs may have had a tougher time talking the 66-year-old Arians out of retirement.

This was a smart move by Tampa Bay. Licht was an important piece of the puzzle for Arians to come and be the head coach of the Buccaneers.

“We were in the process, I was surprised,’’ Co-Chairman Joel Glazer told Stroud. “It was into the process where we knew (Arians) had interest but it would only be in certain situations and he knew Jason and worked with him. It was because of that that I think he was comfortable coming in. I know he didn’t want to go to any situation. He had the experience with Jason so he knew he would be helpful in helping him succeed.

“We have great confidence in Jason. Obviously, the record is the record. And there’s still a story to be told.’’

Another important piece to the puzzle is quarterback Jameis Winston. Arians has said for some time he wanted to coach Winston and has faith that the former first overall selection by Licht is the answer.

And with both Arians and Licht under contract who both believe in the young quarterback, I think it’s safe to assume Winston may be the next name to sign an extension here soon.