The Real Work Begins – JoeBucsFan.com

BY IRA KAUFMAN

As we enter a post-Brady world, the spotlight at One Buccaneer Place returns to the executive suite.

It has been two very good years for Jason Licht. Since Tom Brady signed on the dotted line, the Bucs are 29-10, including a Super Bowl win and an additional playoff victory last month.

But now the Bucs must go on without the No. 12, hoping the Brady Effect lingers in his absence. That’s a big ask as Brady leaves and the age of the roster slips.

Jason Licht, Bucs general manager

Because Brady is such a singular figure in NFL history, it’s impossible to overstate his impact. He lifted the Vince Lombardi Trophy six times in New England before turning an uninspiring franchise into staple television in Tampa.

For two seasons, he provided the ultimate in leadership and dedication. Now Buc fans find themselves both grateful and worried. How can you be anything other than thankful for what Brady has accomplished here? He made everyone around him more beautiful.

Starting with Licht.

Without Brady’s presence, Rob Gronkowski doesn’t fit in Tampa. Without Brady’s presence, a previously pedestrian offensive line may fail to attract attention and provide solid protection. Without Brady’s presence, Licht doesn’t pull off an offseason stunner — firing all 22 starters for a Super Bowl champion.

Let’s be real…before Brady arrived, Licht seemed to be on shaky ground.

In Licht’s first six years as general manager, the Bucs were 34-62, spanning three head coaches. That’s an average of 5.7 wins per season, a tick better than his predecessor Mark Dominik, who was 28-52 in his five years as a staff supervisor.

Prior to Brady, Licht’s draft record was at check and his free agent report card was shaky, to be kind. In running the last eight drafts, Licht has selected nine players who have earned Pro Bowl berths. Seven of them — Mike Evans, Ali Marpet, Chris Godwin, Vita Vea, Devin White, Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr. — are currently on Tampa Bay’s roster.

It’s a solid run, but let’s also remember that the 2016 draft – Vernon Hargreaves, Noah Spence, Roberto Aguayo, Ryan Smith, Caleb Benenoch, Devante Bond and Danny Vitale – turned out to be an absolute disaster.

Now, under the watchful gaze of the Glazer family, Licht faces the challenge of reinventing himself without Brady’s help.

Property control

After two seasons for the ages, the Glazers would be crushed to know that their franchise has returned to the Dark Ages. They yearn for the prestige and income that comes with winning big.

While they might not expect a 13-4 finish without Brady, they certainly don’t expect to see Bruce Arians go 7-10 in a division the Bucs should dominate.

Joel Glazer speaks to Licht in 2016.

Give him credit, Licht pulled off a miracle in the free agent market a year ago, saving his veterans for another championship run. It won’t happen in 2022, partly by choice. Five starters on each side of the ball are unrestricted free agents, 25 players in all.

Gronkowski is likely to retire and others like OJ Howard. Ronald Jones and Jason Pierre-Paul probably played their last game as Buccaneers. The hard salary cap numbers reflect the enormous challenge facing Licht and cap savant Mike Greenberg.

Age is also a concern. The Bucs currently have 16 players who are at least 30 years old. The Packers have 8. The Cowboys have 7. The Rams have 5.

Licht needs to prove he can keep the Bucs competitive without the ultimate winner on his side. The Glazers aren’t in the mood for a rebuild and Licht doesn’t think that way.

Arians still has its coordinators, but things are about to change significantly. Brady’s arrival changed the perception of Licht among Buc fans and peers. He was considered a savvy executive who built a championship roster. He had a great run to the top, but guess what?

Now the real work begins.