Jason Licht Slaps DeSean Jackson And Devin White
August 13th, 2025
“Careful under that bus, Desean.”
Never again.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager has opened up to media more in recent years and Joe has enjoyed it. In fact, Team Glazer should give Licht an interview bonus structure. Licht being out there is good for the franchise.
Licht is kind of like the Baker Mayfield of GMs.
After building an impressive up-and-comer pedigree working around Jimmy Johnson, Don Shula, Andy Reid and Bill Belicheat, the Bucs hired Licht as GM in 2014.
Like Mayfield, Licht hit NFL rock bottom and rose from the ashes, slightly reinventing himself while staying genuine.
As Mayfield told SiriusXM NFL Radio last week, he wishes he knew years ago what he’s realized in his Tampa days. (Don’t we all?) Licht says the same thing.
While Licht has been with the Bucs 12 years, he’s only become a legend for his roster-building acumen over the past seven years.
Yesterday, TheAthletic.com delivered a feature on Licht from Dan Pompei, who very kindly referenced and flattered JoeBucsFan.com in the piece– “deftly delivers Bucs news and opinions, sometimes with a wink.” Thanks, Dan!
Licht gave Pompei bold calls on two past high-profile moves.
In March 2017, Licht took a chance on dazzling but challenging wideout DeSean Jackson in free agency. He didn’t blend with the quarterback or his coaches, and the waves he created didn’t justify the production. “The me now would never sign DeSean Jackson,” says Licht, who traded him after two years.
In hindsight, Licht believes he was fooled in 2019 when he chose linebacker Devin White in the first round. White was a starter for the better part of five years for the Bucs but eventually was let go. He’s with his third team since.
“Knowing what I know now, he would have been off my board,” Licht says. “It was too much about him.”
Ouch!
Joe almost cringed about the White comment. First, Joe thinks Licht is probably being hard on himself considering White was a key cog to the Bucs winning a Super Bowl. Second, it feels to Joe that Licht did not want White for the 2022 season but Todd Bowles did — and Bowles won out.
Joe has little doubt Licht knew White was the wrong guy for the locker room before 2023 kicked off, so why was he kept? Strange. (Perhaps even stranger is why White was signed by the Raiders led by Licht’s former right-hand man and Tom Brady).
As for Jackson, Joe’s been sitting on off-the-record information of something stunning Jackson did to sabotage the Bucs. Unfortunately, the prominent national figure who detailed this to Joe still won’t give Joe a green light to share it publicly.
Kudos again to Licht sharing openly. Fans love that stuff.
Joe eagerly awaits the eventual response from White and Jackson.
August 13th, 2025 at 8:54 am
As a top level athlete it is always someone else’s problem why you don’t produce like you should. That is what they will say or they won’t respond realizing some self awareness that they just don’t have.
August 13th, 2025 at 8:55 am
How about this from the article.
Since Licht became general manager of the Bucs in 2014, the players he has drafted in the first five rounds have started more games than players chosen by any other team.
August 13th, 2025 at 8:57 am
It’s interesting that John Spytek (who was Licht’s right hand man) is the Raider’s GM and White is now a starter in Vegas.
White is a gifted athlete but something went wrong after his 2nd season in Tampa…
August 13th, 2025 at 8:58 am
“First, Joe thinks Licht is probably being hard on himself considering White was a key cog to the Bucs winning a Super Bowl. Second, it feels to Joe that Licht did not want White for the 2022 season but Todd Bowles did — and Bowles won out.”
If your second point is true, there’s nothing wrong with them doing everything to bring the guy back into the fold since they spent such a high draft pick on him. It’s OK to be wrong.
Were they wrong in signing AB? No. He was okay for a while. Ditto with White.
What is remarkable is the candor of Licht. There may be a lot of people that will say he should keep those thoughts to himself. I’m glad he brought them out. Let the tone be set for this franchise now that if you are a bad person but talented player, you can ply your trade in some other NFL city, but not in Tampa.
August 13th, 2025 at 9:02 am
Been licking my chops for this DeSean Jackson story for years now. Hopefully the wait is almost over.
[There are two people still in their same positions not necessarily with the Bucs. When those two guys leave their respective positions, Joe will offer up details. Given their jobs, it may be a while. This was a hint (above) in Dan Pompei’s excellent Licht feature in The Athletic. — Joe]
August 13th, 2025 at 9:07 am
DJax I get, that was a swing that didn’t quite connect, but White helped us win an SB so you can tell me you regret drafting him all you want.
Still doesn’t change that INT in New Orleans in the 2020 playoffs that helped turn that uncomfortably close game in our favor. White didn’t work for us long term, but his first 2 seasons I wouldn’t trade for anything I don’t care what Licht feels lol
August 13th, 2025 at 9:11 am
a little surprised Licht went this route….
i’d rather him take the high road and say both players didnt fit what we were trying to accomplish and we wish them well…..
but it is what it is lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
August 13th, 2025 at 9:19 am
Djax i get. how about anthony collins?? but devin white? lets be honest here devin played great in the 2020 playoffs, including the super bowl. it wasnt like devin white was a scrub he also had a few solid seasons. i think vernon hargraves was more of a dissapointment.
August 13th, 2025 at 9:22 am
The Djax story, or rather the mystery surrounding it has been living rent-free in my head ever since joe first brought it up. Crosses my mind every couple weeks. Can’t wait to finally learn what happened
Off the record is off the record. Joe ripped former St. Pete Times columnist Gary Shelton for sharing off the record information on radio — even though the info was 4 1/2 years old. You either have permission or you don’t. There is zero in between. https://www.joebucsfan.com/2012/10/the-bucs-and-jamaal-charles/ Joe doesn’t have permission to share the Jackson story and probably won’t get it, but it’s possible. And Joe will keep asking for a green light. Shelton, to his credit, approached Joe after the article linked above and said Joe’s criticism was fair. –Joe
August 13th, 2025 at 9:24 am
What drove White out of Tampa was the same thing that drove Mayfield from Cleveland. On the field Max Effort but outside the lines a Pissy lil Beoch where it was all about him. Maybe Mayfield has learned and Joe is quick to point that Mayfield has possibly grown up. Don’t need access to White anymore so why would you give him the same benefit of the doubt.
Raiders have White listed as one of two 1st OLB with Jaylon Smith right behind him. I’d take either one of those two before any off the ball linebackers with the Bucs besides David and with his age would have to flip a coin.
August 13th, 2025 at 9:27 am
Guessing on the cryptic Djax sabotage…. Had to be undermining Winston in favor of Fitz with coaches and other players.
August 13th, 2025 at 9:28 am
DJackoff
August 13th, 2025 at 9:37 am
read a story about Coach Pete praising White and saying he’s back to peak form. something about him figuring it all out finally.
August 13th, 2025 at 9:38 am
i’m glad jason was able to survive his first 5 years cause many coaches and players did not. unlike mayfield, licht hit rock bottom here and the fans and the franchise paid a price. he has redemeed himself though, and the bucs are a super bowl winning team under his management. he still makes bad picks like all gms.
August 13th, 2025 at 9:38 am
Definitely been waiting on the DJackson story too! Glad Licht has learned from his mistakes though. Definitely one of the Top if not top GMs in the league.
August 13th, 2025 at 9:54 am
The worst I want to know is the Josh freeman story it’s the biggest Bucs mystery
August 13th, 2025 at 10:20 am
Is this coming out now to send a message to a player that is here?
August 13th, 2025 at 10:23 am
I think Licht regret the Devin White pick, because of the defensive front seven players that he passed on, in the 1st round.
OLB Josh Allen
OLB Brian Burns
OLB Rashaan Gary
OLB Montez Sweat
DT Ed Oliver
DT Christian Wilkins
DT Dexter Lawrence
DT Jeffrey Simmons
There’s a lot of sacks in that group
August 13th, 2025 at 10:34 am
I forget the game, but Winston had a chance at a furious comeback and I remember DJackoff dogging it on the route, Winston launches it to him and he makes a last minute effort but naturally it gets picked off and looked like an overthrow. But man, I swear he had an opportunity to make a play on that if he wasn’t giving 50%….still makes me mad to this day.
August 13th, 2025 at 11:10 am
D white pick was ok bc he was a key cog to the SB run…. but man, i thought all along we were taking josh allen and damn is he good.
August 13th, 2025 at 11:29 am
Yikes, didn’t see that coming from Jason’s lips to our ears. Nice nugget, Joe. Now he and Todd have built the culture they want. They know exactly what they are looking for. Surprising he didn’t mention AB in the same breath.
August 13th, 2025 at 11:50 am
Watch Devin White in his First Take interview before the draft and you’ll hear all of the “me” attitude.
Especially when he brings up Mosley, usually players not drafted say whatever the team wants me to be… I do think bucs should have tried to transition him to edge, cause DW is a freak athlete if Reddick could do it, if parsons could do it….
August 13th, 2025 at 12:04 pm
OBVIOUS FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS?
1. Would Jameis Winston be on your board?
2. Would OJ Howard be on your board?
3. Would JTS be on your board?
If not, why not? What have you learned?
August 13th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Joe—
I was absolutely hoping this was the time to get the DeShawn Jackson story and what he did to the locker room and Jameis. One day, Joe. One day!!
August 13th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
Major credit to Joe for his professionalism regarding the inside dope on Djax.
I really appreciate what Licht has built in our 2023-2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They are truly a team of great men of high caliber integrity and talent. A team we can all be proud of. No killers, no degenerates, no pieces of shît on this squad and the locker room is one of the tightest I’ve ever witnessed. All want to play their hearts out for Bowles, Mike & Lavonte. I really think this is the year where it all comes together. Didn’t think it could get better than winning a championship in our own stadium and be the first to ever do it but this year could definitely supplant 2020 if we can get a little luck and pull off the big win.
August 13th, 2025 at 12:37 pm
If a linebacker isn’t the next Derrick brooks or Luke kuechly you should never take one in the top 10 even. So many great linebackers who fall in the draft year after year. One of the few positions in football that can be overcome with later picks and/free agency. Eagles LB was the best in the league last year and he came off the streets
August 13th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
I learned Licht holds himself accountable and can publicly admit to errors. That’s leadership.
August 13th, 2025 at 12:53 pm
My guess, and it’s only a guess, is that Carol is the one who thinks he can turn White around with the way he coaches and such. Spytek probably gave him all the insight he needed as far as ability and athleticism and everything and Carol probably thinks he can play psychologist and turn him around. They’re not paying him much so it’s kind of a low-risk scenario anyhow. Not much to lose, plenty to gain. As far as being a locker room cancer, I don’t know if White was all that bad anyhow. Whiny maybe, but not a total d!ck. That’s where Carol is pretty solid managing the culture.
August 13th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
Enjoy it fellas. We have one of the best GMs in the league. The cherry on top is that the owners leave him alone and let him work.
August 13th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
weve had 3 great ones in our front office, ron wolf, rich mckay & staff, and jason
shaky first owner, the glazers got better too just like jason
August 13th, 2025 at 2:04 pm
[Nonsense. — Joe]
August 13th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
If anyone could do it getting DWhite rejuvenated and grounded it would be Pete. No one has more fun energy than him. Definitely a players coach and motivator. Will be interesting to see what happens with that… If HE can’t do it then nobody can & DWhite will be 💯 DONE at that point. DWhite is definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed (putting it mildly). He’s the type of guy that really needed someone strong and disciplined behind him keeping him inline. He has ZERO self-awareness. Not a smart guy.
August 13th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
Devin is considered a journey man now. What a shame
August 13th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
I was actually going to end my post saying the exact sane thing, Fred… What a shame.
August 13th, 2025 at 2:43 pm
BobbyuBucsFan
🤔
August 13th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
Joe looking at the comments. Respect to you for not sharing information that would get a lot of people clicking. On Ira’s show always waiting for you to tell the story. Good to see integrity in journalism.
August 13th, 2025 at 3:42 pm
Top 5 picks if you draft right should be on your team for 10-12 years
Drafting a MLB in the top 5 was stupid then and it is stupid now
Yes, White contributed to the Super Bowl but was not some Ray Lewis level of MLB
Licht’s team building strategy has always been flawed, he lucked into Brady and Mayfield who have covered up a lot of the flaws within this team
August 13th, 2025 at 3:49 pm
When white was whining about not making the pro bowl i hope it wasn’t to Lavonte David
August 13th, 2025 at 3:52 pm
Honestly, Your ” it’s off the record” comment is exactly the kind of thing that’ll make me stop coming to this site. If something’s truly off the record, then don’t say anything about it just to get people curious — that’s just as bad as leaking it. Saying, *“Oh, I have info on this…”* only sparks speculation without giving anyone the truth.
Joe, in my opinion, that makes you just as bad — maybe worse — for even bringing it up. If it’s off the record, then don’t mention it at all.
If you’re not going to spill the beans, then no one needs to know you know anything. Honestly, it just comes off as kind of douchey. Does saying that make you feel cooler or something — like you’re above the rest of us?
Either tell us or stop bringing it up… PERIOD…
August 13th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
Guess you don’t watch NFL Network or BSPN, eh? Hardly a day goes by that you don’t hear on those networks someone say, “I’ve been told… “
August 13th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
I stopped watching all of them years ago—I don’t even know who’s on anymore. I get my information from Adam Schefter and by reading blogs and team-specific sites. When I come across posts like this, it feels a bit immature—like a 14-year-old saying, “na-na-na, I know something you don’t.” You can own it or not, but that’s how it comes across. I expect that from certain commenters here, but not from you, Joe. In my opinion, it’s just as unprofessional as the person you’re calling out. While he may be speaking about something “off the record,” he is at least telling the story as he was told, sharing real information—that’s called being a reporter. Meanwhile, you’re creating speculation about what DJax did to screw the Bucs. At least he’s reporting facts; you’re just spreading rumors.
August 13th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
I said from the beginning they should’ve drafted Josh Allen.
August 13th, 2025 at 7:06 pm
Josh. I certainly dont agree with a lot the Joe’s say. But questioning how they run the most successful Bucs blog site like you have the better way. Well, just consider. This just is a blog site so expecting to see what you perceive to be some old journalism style seems misplaced.
You call him acting like a 14 year old but then engage in your own petty way. . “… it comes off as kind of douchey.. ”
Thanks for the continued discourse.
August 13th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
Appreciate the journalistic ethics, Joe(s). Also appreciate the way you gents moderate the comments when someone strays off topic with a firm “Not Here”. Kudos
August 13th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
Not Joe’s intention in any way. (And can understand how that may be perceived by some).
One main reason Joe mentions this story about DeSean Jackson is Joe wants people to know what a scumbag the guy is.
Joe loves Schefter too, but he drops the “I’ve been told… “ very often. And he’s hardly the only one.
August 13th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
Geno,
Josh has a fair point. Do appreciate you having Joe’s back. Thanks.
August 13th, 2025 at 9:52 pm
Was chatting with annoying Iggles fan buddy today, who reminded me White’s (estranged?) father died in Brady’s last season. That might have started his unraveling
August 13th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
Beeej:
Good point.
August 13th, 2025 at 11:07 pm
I do’t know why Licht didn’t know White was all about himself when he was drafted. I remember an interview he gave right after being drafted stating that he wanted to become the highest paid linebacker in the league. He was already thinking about his second contract before he signed his first. And he didn’t talk about being great or leading a team to a championship. He only talked about becoming the highest paid at his position.
August 13th, 2025 at 11:27 pm
The Bucs literally don’t win the Super Bowl without White, what a dumb take by Licht, who I generally like.
August 13th, 2025 at 11:51 pm
Tom:
Wanting to make the most money at your position doesn’t necessarily mean one is a narcissist or a bad team guy.
Some players are better salesmen than others. White likely did a sales job on Licht. It happens. Licht won’t be the first GM that was fooled by a player. He won’t be the last.
August 14th, 2025 at 12:41 am
Joe I’m gonna have grey hair by time you finally tell us the Freeman or D-Jax stories… lol
August 14th, 2025 at 5:43 am
BobbyuBucsFan Says:
“Guessing on the cryptic Djax sabotage…. Had to be undermining Winston in favor of Fitz with coaches and other players.”
.
.
We already know that happened. I remember reading about DJax lobbying for Fritz to start. I think there is more to the story. It’s the “more” part that we don’t get yet.
August 14th, 2025 at 12:42 pm
Well that was the year Jameis was going celibate apparently. Did DJax keep sending hookers over to Jameis’ place to tempt him and completely throw him off his game? 🙂
August 14th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
I want to know about Josh Freeman and Jake Camarda. I also appreciated Joe’s rebuttal just wanting everyone to know Desean Jackson was a bag