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Buccaneers: Five Best Moves of Jason Licht’s Time as General Manager

By Alan Schechter

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) smiles after they beat the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) smiles after they beat the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jameis Winston

The franchise quarterback. Those are words that every football team wants to hear, usually with “We have our…” in the front. It’s the difference between a team that can win consistently and one that can’t. Ask the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets for any proof you might need on this.

Jason Licht was the holder of a general manager’s dream in 2015. He had the number one pick of the draft and more than one quarterback to choose from. Specifically, the debate was between Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. Who was he going to choose? Winston was known as the more “pro-ready” passer, while Mariota didn’t have any of the character issues that Winston did. It was a tough choice.

We all know the decision that was ultimately made, and Winston has been the perfect face of the franchise. He is working hard on the field and behaving himself off the field. He set rookie records with his arm, and although some of it took place during lost games, he did show the world he can make every throw. His ability to read defenses improves with every snap, and the sky is the limit for him.

If a franchise quarterback is so important, why is he only ranked at number three? He still makes some very curious decisions. The one thing that will keep Winston from going from good to elite is his mind. Can he clear those hurdles and protect the football consistently, like an elite quarterback does? If he can, he will jump up to the top of this list, and be the crowning achievement of Licht’s tenure as the general manager.

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