Two Bouquets For Jason Licht; Two Darts At Todd Bowles
May 18th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Well, a couple of big name national analysts joined forces last week to throw love and shade at Bucs power brokers.
They found common ground: a top-5 GM ranking for Jason Licht and potshots at Todd Bowles.
It was reminscent of the chatter commonly heard outside the Team Glazer suite — in cigar lounges, sports bars and Home Depot lines from Largo to Lakeland.
ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes hosted NFL guru Sheil Kapadia of TheRinger.com on her podcast last week. They set out to rank the top 10 coaches and the top 5 general managers in the league.
At No. 4 on her GM list, Kimes had Licht; Kapadia ranked Licht at No. 5 overall.
“I just think he continually smashes it in the draft,” Kimes said of Licht. “… I think this roster is just really well-constructed. … I also think coaching, maybe Licht deserves some criticism; I think Todd Bowles, might be that time to kinda wind it down.
But I just think [Licht] continuously finds really, really good players, both either values in the draft or good values in free agency.”
Kimes whispered when she mentioned Bowles and her tone wreaked of finger-pointing at the Bucs’ head coach.
“It seems like their rosters are always good and he makes common-sense moves, and he hasn’t had a difference-making coach or quarterback since the end of the Tom Brady era,” Kapadia added.
Both acknowledged how well Licht has navigated the post-Brady era.
Most analysts and fans prefer not to link Licht and Bowles. It’s like there’s a separation of church and state. Joe isn’t 100 percent sure why that is, but Bowles overhauling his coaching staff while the front office stayed intact certainly underscores a divide.
Joe wonders if anything other than wins would help Bowles win the perception game he’s trailing by three scores.
May 18th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
She’s not far off the mark. Applaud what Jason has done. And I think most agree that Licht would not draft a player Bowles did not give a thumbs up to and now – after being the HC for 4 years – we have to get players that are faster, meaner and/or more violent – Bowles just figuring this out now? Football is controlled violence. And fwiw – bet ticket sales are in the toilet locally – which is why Bowles is making the podcast and radio tour to whomever will have him on their show.
May 18th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
The acid test will be:
1.) If this team responds markedly with the re-vamped coaching staff
And if not:
2.) Who Licht is able to bring in next offseason to right this ship.
That will be his ticket. Not how well he’s drafted.
May 18th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Not just wins. Since he is a defensive coach, his defense has to stand out in order for him to get the accolades. If his defense blows chunks again and we win because of a strong offense, he could be jettisoned and replaced by the OC to keep another team from grabbing the OC.
May 18th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
bowles has to get it done…bottom line…
just like baker, bowles needs a deep run in the playoffs…another 9-8 finish wont cut it…
GO BUCS!!!!
May 18th, 2026 at 3:00 pm
If Jason Licht was a top 5 GM
We would have had adequate depth last season
Come on man, we had a high school coach as our backup QB
These so call analyst s are really dumb as nails
We didn’t even have a quality backup Guard, or Tackle
We had a washed up 36 year old LB, playing over 1,000 snaps
Another starting Linebacker, that’s no more than a career backup
And these clowns actually get paid for this stupidity
May 18th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
“Kimes whispered when she mentioned Bowles and her tone wreaked of finger-pointing at the Bucs’ head coach.”
— Sounds like a cheap romance novel 🤣
“Joe wonders if anything other than wins would help Bowles win the perception game he’s trailing by three scores.”
— Jack says No….. And even wins and success will be greeted by a chorus of people claiming they’re in spite of Todd not because he did anything right 🙄
May 18th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
Separation of Church and State?
Those were the days….
May 18th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
I think Baker Mayfield is a “middle of pack” QB
Todd Bowles “middle of pack” HC
Jason Licht “middle of pack” GM
They will have to prove me wrong
But, l will give Licht credit for his new additions
He’s starting to bring more physicality to the team
The old Jason Licht was drafting too many Choir Boys
May 18th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Bowles defense was relatively healthy but still sucked. A horrible look for a defensive head coach. Lakeland is right that Licht had terrible depth because he uses late round picks for depth rather than waiver wire vets.
May 18th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Only two hires will improve our Bucs. A new Head Coach and a new (real) defensive guru. Why the Glazers haven’t yet moved on this issue is beyond belief. We have endured too much mediocrity for too long!
May 18th, 2026 at 3:51 pm
Tomlin n Schwartz 2027
May 18th, 2026 at 3:51 pm
Here’s how you seperate Licht from Bowles …
Under Arians, the team went 13-4 in 2021
Under Bowles, practically the same team went 8-9 in 2022.
2022 was TB12’s ONLY LOSING RECORD.
2022 team was loaded enough to win.
Licht built a winner. Bowles ran it into the ground.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
It’s never really the talent these past few years…
The coaching is atrocious and brings the team way down!
May 18th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
You actually think the trash we had last season were winners?
May 18th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
Can’t believe it ,I’m actually agreeing with Lakeland , maybe Todd can right the ship lol.. Anyhow I’m not saying I’m a shovenist but it’s two woman ugh
May 18th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
Trash is kinda harsh
May 18th, 2026 at 4:12 pm
Bucs fans been seeing imaginary talent on this team for years
Only they can see it, cause no one else sees it
Definitely not NFL fans, or other players
That’s why they rarely get elected to Pro Bowls, or All- Pro
May 18th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
idk about ‘practically the same team’ for 2021 and 2022 although I definitely prefer Arians over Bowles (I’d think most would).
That 2021 defense had JPP/Suh/Shaq still wreaking havoc. In 2022 we didn’t have JPP/Suh and Shaq had a major injury.
That loss of those 3 players destroyed our front-7 pass rush and we haven’t been the same on defense since IMO.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:34 pm
The 2022 team didn’t have some key players from 2021
AB
Gronk
Cappa
Jensen
Marpet
JPP
Suh
Those were some really good players
May 18th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Licht deserves a lot of credit.
May 18th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
Go be a fan of another team Lakeland. Last year when they were 6-2 did you think this team had no talent? At the time they were considered one of if not the best team in the league. They had a ton of injuries and no pass rush that ultimately doomed them. They addressed every area of need in free agency and the draft. Bain was the steal of the draft. Kancey, Vita, Bain, and YaYa along with Walker and the two d-line free agents inject a ton of talent and depth in the trenches. They are going to be very good next year because of your hatred of Licht, Bowels and Baker. Don’t want to hear from year next year when the team is winning!
May 18th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
You can’t see it because of your hatred of those 3
May 18th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
I didn’t say they wasn’t going to be good this year
Last season they had a roster loaded with soft players
In 2020- 2021 they had a wealth of talent
But, from 2022-2025, they were a team lacking talent
This off-season has been Licht 2nd best off-season
Only the 2020 off-season was better than this off-season
To say Jason Licht is a Top 4 GM
You would have to say the Bucs are a Top 4 team
It’s ridiculous
May 18th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
This is the best analysis from mainstream pundits I have seen yet.
They are 100% correct and most of us fans who want Bowles gone have seen this at least the last 2 years.
Licht and the Glazers were sold Bowles by Arians. They can’t separate the man from his abilities and fire their friend.
You don’t think Licht wanted more depth before? They didn’t want to get out over their skis cap wise and they misevaluated some players. JTS, Britt, SVD… couple other good players they drafted haven’t been healthy or have been challenged by injury and position turmoil (Kancey/Barton).
They could have kept mortgaging the future and descending further into cap hell like the Saints to add depth but they chose to pay off the Brady years, and hope that they stayed healthy and the coaches could get the most of what they had, which is pretty good with healthy.
Unfortunately they missed big time on the evaluation of the HC who has failed to adapt to the game in the 2020s, doesn’t position his players to maximize their skill sets and coaches not to lose.
May 18th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
I could not care any less about two people’s opinions who never played a down of football in their lives, especially Kimes, who consistently gives terrible analysis and opinions about football. They should stick to reporting facts only if they want to be NFL reporters.
May 18th, 2026 at 5:27 pm
Lakeland… what?
I guarantee Brett Veach is in the top 5 GM list and the Chiefs didn’t make the playoffs last season.
I guarantee Howie Roseman is near the top of that list and Eagles despite all their talent have been a mess for large parts of the last 3 years.
Chiefs dealt with injuries and a talent exodus after a lot of success. Like what the Bucs had in 2020-2021.
The Eagles are dogged by diva players and a bi polar HC who has a revolving door at OC which in turn hurts the QB and offense. What does that sound like?
Licht has put a lot of young talent on this team. Injuries and poor coaching have doomed this teams true potential.
May 18th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
They would’ve fired Todd Bowles last season
If someone actually wanted to coach this depleted team
I’m sure they did their homework before retaining Bowles
No one wanted the job, the team sucks
Simple and plain
May 18th, 2026 at 5:42 pm
JL did his part. This is going to be a make-or-break season for Bowles. If Bowles can’t get this team over .500 and into the playoffs, he is as good as gone. JL will still be here to find the next HC, if that happens. I hope this team wrecks the NFCS and goes deep in the playoffs, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
May 18th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
I think since Bowles took over the lack of talent has been the common denominator for this team. It started when the players got old and had to be replaced. When Baker first came here and the Bucs went into the mid-season swoon I thought Bowles should have been gone then, BUT, they turned it around and I had to give him credit for being the one to stabilize the team. If you’re gonna give him crap as the HC then ya gotta give him credit where it is due. The next season another slump and I was wondering what the deal was, 2 years in a row? Puzzling. And a one and done in the playoffs like they were sleep walking. Last years collapse was inexcusable and I think he should have been gone. Well he’s not. Not yet anyway. They have missed on some talent, had some talent flame out, see Devin White, and some looked like they tuned out. Maybe they weren’t in position to draft the guys on defense that they wanted before this years draft but did on offense. Say what you want but last years injuries were horrible, did not understand the back up QB move at all, tell me Trask wouldn’t have been better than Bridgewater and would have been a key to Baker resting because of injuries, oh well. In all let’s see where we go this season. If there is a marked turn around with play, hustle and attitude we will be able to tell it was players that were the biggest reason for the collapse. Usually is but if theres the hint of the past 3 years Bowles needs to be gone.
May 18th, 2026 at 5:59 pm
Hey there are only 32 of these multi million dollar a year positions to be filled, I guarantee there would have been no problem finding a good coach. McDermott got fired for getting his injured, lack of talent team to the post season. What happened here? I would seriously give him a look besides Tomlin.
May 18th, 2026 at 6:02 pm
Would like to know what gets a post moderated and not posted that contains no profanity or blatantly blasting somebody?
May 18th, 2026 at 6:13 pm
The Glazers are not paying top dollar for retreads like Tomlin, McDermott
That’s why they mostly hire from within, or a low paid HC like Lovie
May 18th, 2026 at 6:36 pm
Like the Dennis Schwartz idea for DC next year except he only runs 4/3….
Hmmm for HC, I’m no totally sold on Tomlin…
I’m thinking Sean McDermott perhaps….
That dude can call a defense…
May 18th, 2026 at 6:55 pm
Lakeland and SlyPirate are 99% correct – Lakeland states that the 2022 team lacked the on-field talent of 2020-2021 – the polygraph has determined that is TRUE – SlyPirate states that Bowles wasted Brady’s talent while Arians fostered it – the polygraph has determined that is mostly TRUE – but connecting the dots you will discover that BRADY is the determining factor not Bowles or Licht – Brady was out-of-sorts in 2022 – Arians & Bowles & Licht were 7-9 in 2019 – Bowles & Licht & bad-Brady were 8-9 in 2022 – what explains 2020 & 2021 ? – Licht ? no – Arians ? no – Bowles ? no – the polygraph has determined that the answer is BRADY GRONK & crew – and no – all Licht had to do was to answer the phone when Brady called – Brady did the rest – if Licht had said no to Brady 2020-2021 would not have happened – so he gets a gold star for answering the phone and staying out of Brady’s way
May 18th, 2026 at 7:05 pm
Chucky 2.0
May 18th, 2026 at 7:18 pm
Lakeland, Thanks for pointing out the major differences between the 2021 team and 2022 team. The difference was huge! Bowles in no way is the coach that Arians was so maybe the big drop off in talent on the rosters since then is why the Glazers and Licht cut Bowles some slack.
May 18th, 2026 at 7:20 pm
Guess I’m not as enamoured with Kimes analysis as some seem to be Joe. Our problem since Bowles assumed the HC role has been depth as much as anything. Sorry, but it’s the GM who stocks the cupboard, not the HC. And top draft picks like JTS & Hall aren’t with us any longer for a reason.
I’m no longer sure that anything short of going deep in the playoffs can save Todd Bowles job. There are 2 highly experienced ex-HCs now taking a year off … Mike Tomlin & Sean McDermott. Both are only in their early-50’s and I’m sure that both will want back in for 2027. Have no doubts that the Glazers already have their eye on one or the other. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out once 2026 is in the record books.
May 18th, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Jason Licht is an excellent GM. I am not surprised that some people see him as in the top 5 of 32.
I do not know what the thinking was regarding retaining Todd Bowles. I have to think Licht made the decision after consulting one or more of the Glazers. So, yes, Todd has been given one more year.
I respect Licht’s decision. I will not grouse unless we have a terrible season. It takes energy to keep trashing the guy.
Go Bucs!!
May 18th, 2026 at 8:43 pm
Shake&Baker …they’re going to be 5-12 and Bowles will be shown the door….finally!
May 18th, 2026 at 9:19 pm
The defense was fing horrible last year. Disgusting.
Was it the system?
Then it’s Todd Bowles fault.
Was it the talent?
Then it’s Jason Lichts fault.
You can pin all the roses on him you want.
Last years defense didn’t have a pass rusher. At all
Didn’t have a cover Linebacker under 36.
Didn’t have any quality CB depth At All.
A bunch of rookies and castoffs.
Every bit of that is Jason Lichts Fault.
The NFL is pretty clearly defined.
The GM gathers talent.
The coach trains and coaches them.
You make your own conclusions.
Me- I think ignoring a pass rusher for the fourth year in a row should have his butt hanging by a thread.
And celebrating a draft class, before they play one down, is insanity.
I think it’s potentially a great class. But Tampa is where potential often comes to die.
Especially with pass rushers.
May 18th, 2026 at 9:42 pm
‘87 you want wager a grand on the under of 5.5????
May 18th, 2026 at 10:30 pm
Lakeland you had me till you called Mike Tomlin a retread. Really WTF he has only had one HC job and had that for 16 hrs.
May 18th, 2026 at 11:44 pm
Is it a lack of talent? Or is it coaching?
I’ve heard both excuses repeated a plethora of times.
If it’s a lack of talent then both Licht and Bowles should go.
If it’s coaching then both should also go. Take Baker with you.
Zero pro bowlers drafted since 2020 and a failed HC\DC got an extension.
If not then prepare for more of 2025.