Jason Licht Says He “Expects” Donovan Smith And Ryan Jensen To Return
February 24th, 2021
The Bucs are in a salary cap crunch, assuming they really do want to bring back the many stars of their Super Bowl roster.
(Never gets old typing Super Bowl. Joe’s having so much fun).
Two giant Bucs with giant salaries are due to make eight figures next season but are without guaranteed contracts: Super Bowl left tackle Donovan Smith and center Ryan Jensen.
General manager Jason Licht was asked today about the status of his beastly offensive linemen and Licht emphasized that he “expects” them to return next season. He praised their play and made sure everyone listening understood that he wasn’t just saying he’d like them back; the message to Bucs fans is to expect them back.
Yes, Licht could extend Smith and/or Jensen’s contract and have his accountants backload money into 2022, so the Bucs have more wiggle room on the tight 2021 cap. Smith and Jensen are both entering the final seasons of multiyear deals.
Enjoy today’s comprehensive free agency edition of the Ira Kaufman Podcast, presented by Bill Currie Ford.
February 24th, 2021 at 3:34 pm
I’ll be BACK….
February 24th, 2021 at 3:35 pm
And so it begins, The Great Restructures…
February 24th, 2021 at 3:37 pm
Our entire starting Oline is under contract…..that’s a good thing….I’m quite sure that restructures will be welcomed by most. Anyone without guarantees would probably take a cut for an extended contract with guarantees.
February 24th, 2021 at 3:42 pm
Licht will likely draft a LT and C. Donavan Smith and Ryan Jensen together take up $24 million in cap space. Replacing them with raw rookies is risky with a relatively immobile QB, but having them sit and learn for a season makes lots of sense.
February 24th, 2021 at 3:42 pm
Jensen age 29 but centers/ guards have longer shelf life …especially centers
Jensen gives the oline its mean streak and he is the enforcer. Definitely want him back.
Donovan smith age 27 played good enough to come back next year but they need that 14 mil to spend elsewhere in future. Bucs may draft his replacement with 32 pick.
February 24th, 2021 at 3:43 pm
I was impressed with how much Brady effected D. Smith this past season. He went from taking plays off to dominating at his position. Just another example of how a leader can change the chemistry of a team. However, despite his dominance at OT I think it would be wise for the Bucs to pick up more O-line help this coming draft. They scored high in last years draft with Wirfs, Why not try it again? GO BUCS!!
February 24th, 2021 at 3:43 pm
So what’s the over/under on number of players who restructure their deals this year?
February 24th, 2021 at 3:48 pm
The way the oline cleaned up penalties and improved. No problem to expected back. If you restructure contract do it for this year only. 1-2 year at a time.
February 24th, 2021 at 3:48 pm
Picking Linemen on both sides of the ball are never attractive picks but You will need them to help incase of injuries and for our future. Be wise Pick linemen. It’s money in the bank.
February 24th, 2021 at 6:46 pm
Listened to the podcast. Good points at the end on the RB situation. I really think the Play Action got better because of Fournette. He was a great outlet for Brady. I love how hard Jones but in today’s NFL a 3 down back is so much more valuable.
February 24th, 2021 at 6:51 pm
Ryan jensens hair
Great poster name
Not as good as “buc cheeks” but close
Gotta love the perm pony tail. 😂
February 24th, 2021 at 8:22 pm
Ryan Jensen gives the oline its mean streak, something we have missed around here for a very long time.
And Donovan Smith played lights out the last 1/2 of the season.
We closed out the super bowl by this line running the ball, and KC could not stop us.
February 24th, 2021 at 8:43 pm
Awesome! Need them!
February 25th, 2021 at 1:05 am
Extend Jensen he is the chip on our Olines shoulder, draft a RT with the 32nd pick and move Tristan Wirfs over to the left. Resign Wells and Stinnett and use the leftover money from Smiths contract and Jensens extension to resign LVD and Suh
February 25th, 2021 at 1:06 am
Stinnee*