“It Is Kind Of On Auto-Pilot”

April 10th, 2022

Bucs GM Jason Licht.

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht peeled the curtain back a bit on his job.

The Buccaneers manage the salary cap well, draft well and are big and successful players in free agency. They’ve been on a roll the last four years in those areas.

That wasn’t always the case. Licht was a guest recently on the GM Journey podcast and told former Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff that it took him a few years to trust his staff and stop micromanaging. And, per Licht, that was a key to the Bucs turning into a well-oiled machine.

Licht said he now jokes with his staff that his goal is to do nothing.

“Right now the way we have it, I feel awesome about it. It is kind of on auto-pilot,” Licht said of his front office operation. “Everybody knows their job. Everybody has their role, and that comes from Bill [Belicheat], who we worked with.”

Joe is proud of Licht for maturing in his job. After the 2016 draft and the 2017 free agency nightmare, plus the bust of a 2018 season, it seemed Licht was destined for a quick return to New England as a Belicheat underling. But team Glazer was patient was all of Bucs nation was rewarded.

Licht wasn’t gloating on the podcast. He said he’s still improving on communication within his department. “We won the Super Bowl but I have many flaws.”

14 Responses to ““It Is Kind Of On Auto-Pilot””

  1. stpetebucsfan Says:

    Socrates said an unexamined life is not worth living.

    I’m impressed the Licht is continuing to examine and self evaluate and maintains some modesty even after his impressive run.

  2. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Defense Rules would know something about auto-pilot………a good thing as long as you’re headed in the right direction….but sooner or later, you’ve got to take the controls.
    So, is a golf cart next for Licht?

  3. DBS Says:

    At least one of his flaws is not listening to our experts here. They go from site to site look at cap numbers and come back with all the numbers. Say we can’t afford to sign free agents or do anything because of the cap. So glad he doesn’t listen to them.

  4. Proud Bucs Fan Says:

    Licht thinks its on autopilot? The truth that Don Brady is driving the bus. And everyone will know next year when Don Brady retires or plays for another team next year.

  5. cmurda Says:

    Proud Bucs fan is his name? My name is Not Buying It. You smell like NE crab.

  6. sasquatch Says:

    @proud…
    Yeah cuz Brady is running the entire front office, right? LOL

  7. Goatfarmer Says:

    ProudButt earns the eggplant award for the decade. What a maroon.

  8. SOEbuc Says:

    Picked up Brady. Can’t get better than that.

  9. Cleanhouse Says:

    My screen name, CleanHouse was in honor of Licht and his early misery. I’m impressed and no longer feel that way, but will keep the handle.

  10. Defense Rules Says:

    TBBF … Never had much use for autopilot. When your average mission is around 1.5 hours, you savor every moment flying that puppy yourself.

  11. SB~LV Says:

    It’s always easier from the front, and everyone on the same page. Dodged a bullet with the retirement interlude. BTW I repeatedly mentioned that Brady had Miami on his mind , player, front office in retirement and piece of the franchise, 😎

  12. Buczilla Says:

    Good dude and he’s come a long way while becoming the best gm in the league.

  13. Mike Says:

    Please refrain from using the name “Bill [Belicheat]”. What, are you 12? BB has more than likely stretched the rules a bit now and then but no more than any other coach. As a journalist, name-calling should be beneath you…

  14. Buc1987 Says:

    Mike yet nobody twists your arm to come here…and it’s his site!