Jason Licht Thinks JoeBucsFan Question Helped Sign Tom Brady
June 20th, 2025
Joe might fly the Buccaneers flag at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters just a little bit higher this morning.
As free agency chatter was heating up in February of 2020, and it became clear from Bucco Bruce Arians that the Bucs eagerly were looking past Jameis Winston into the sea of potential available quarterbacks when free agency opened in mid-March, Joe wanted answers.
And frankly, the only hope of a straight answer was from loose-talking Arians.
Arians was about to chat with Tampa-based reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, and the head coach had to be pressed on his repetitive one-liner claiming the Bucs wanted to look behind Door No. 2 for Jameis replacements. That ancient Let’s Make A Deal reference wasn’t cutting it.
League rules prohibit coaches from talking about players on other teams, as it relates to potential interest or contract matters, and Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers and Drew Brees were among the pending free agent QBs for the 2020 season. But if anyone was going to break NFL protocol, it was Arians.
So Joe tried to pin down Arians and get him to reveal a name. Here was the exchange that led to national headlines.
JoeBucsFan.com: Coach, you said regarding quarterback, you can win with Jameis but you want to see who else is available. Is it fair to say there’s one guy out there, that if he was available you would pick up the phone?
Bruce Arians: Tom Brady.
Speaking on the Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast this week, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht said that was a pivotal moment in Bucs history.
“We were at the Combine and we were getting ready to do our interviews. I sat down with Bruce and said, ‘Now you can’t mention quarterbacks [under contract] by name,'” Licht said. “‘You can’t mention; someone asked the question and [Bruce] goes, ‘Hell yeah, I’d answer his call.'”
Obviously, Licht didn’t recall the Arians quote verbatim, but he clearly expressed that the exchage made Brady-to-Tampa more likely and got that ball rolling for the Bucs faster.
Co-host Rick Stroud said he thought the Arians-JoeBucsFan exchange “kind of sealed it,” referring to the eventual Brady signing, and Licht replied, “I think that helped it.”
And to think Joe never got a Super Bowl ring from Team Glazer, not even a t-shirt. Damn.
June 20th, 2025 at 4:13 am
Bucs history. Lee or Steve, both of the Joe’s were able to help facilitate Tom Brady to Tampa back in 2020, and a top free agent DE this offseason. Now ask for more training camp days open to the public instead of the 3 this year so everyone can win!
June 20th, 2025 at 4:23 am
Definitely earned at least a pitcher and wings from Hooter’s on Team Glazers tab. A t-shirt to wear there would get sauce on it anyway. Have a good weekend! Go Bucs!
June 20th, 2025 at 5:30 am
Sometimes we don’t know what effect we have on things…… everyone on board, let’s help push these (possibly special) group of young men to a Super Bowl Win! Everything you got Tampa!
June 20th, 2025 at 5:31 am
That thing was the biggest shock. I was positive Brady wouldn’t even consider the Bucs. I don’t care if we weren’t his first choice. Super Bowl LV, baby!
June 20th, 2025 at 5:55 am
We are close to doing it again if we can just keep our starters on the field. Our backup looks a little Shakey at a couple of spots.
June 20th, 2025 at 6:06 am
You must have bad shoulders. Have someone else pat you on the ass and get back to work.
June 20th, 2025 at 6:48 am
It’s always nice to get your viewpoint and slant on things JOE. That’s why we all come here to this site. Keep up the good work. We can’t get enough Bucs stuff. Thanks.
June 20th, 2025 at 7:32 am
Gotta love BA….most coaches would give some boring coach speak non answer to that question.
June 20th, 2025 at 7:38 am
Bucco Bruce was certainly entertaining. A lot like John McKay.
June 20th, 2025 at 7:39 am
I wonder if hooters still has 3 Mile Island or 911 sause. Haven’t been there in a long time.
June 20th, 2025 at 7:46 am
Fred McNeil’s comment “Bruce and John McKay” were not only entertaining they were the Bucs best coaches ever.
June 20th, 2025 at 7:52 am
Good job, Joes! Yes, well deserving of a Super Bowl Ring(s).
June 20th, 2025 at 8:22 am
You’re a Hall of Famer in my book Joe.
June 20th, 2025 at 8:39 am
They should let Joe into a closed practice or two!
June 20th, 2025 at 8:51 am
REALLY!!! ALWAYS TREAT PEOPLE LIKE CATTLE 😁👍❤️.
June 20th, 2025 at 8:59 am
SEE?!
This is why JBF at least needs a “Buy Joe a Beer” button on this here website!
And also tells you who pays attention to this here website.
Why it’s so important to continue to express dissatisfaction with the obvious gross underperformance of the pass defense and losing game management tactics. Until corrections and improvements are demonstrated.
June 20th, 2025 at 9:00 am
Joe you just turned into Foghorn Leghorn “Boyah looky, I say looky here Boyah”
LOL
June 20th, 2025 at 9:06 am
I remember…all of us fans freaking out because the question could have gotten us with Tampering. At the time, a lot of people were upset with you, lol.
June 20th, 2025 at 9:35 am
I wasn’t worried at all. Brady’s contract was up. The Patriots and Bellichick were all kind of fixing to move on from each other anyway. It just seemed like harmless banter to me .
June 20th, 2025 at 9:57 am
One of the best GMs in all of sports.