Jason Licht Explains Why He’s “Very, Very Excited” About Ted Hurst
August 24th, 2026
“The kid’s a dawg, Ira.”
Anyone have a Ted Hurst jersey yet?
You wouldn’t buy one based on his preseaon performance. The rookie receiver had two receptions for minimal yardage in preseason Week 1 on six targets. And on Saturday against the Chiefs, he was invisible in limited snaps, though he managed one very stupid personal foul.
However, Joe remains a huge fan of Hurst and his potential. Why? Because the third-round draft pick has been rather consistent in practice, where he’s been stacking highlight-reel plays, including against the Jets first-team defense.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht gassed up Hurst on the team’s radio network just before Saturday’s opening kickoff.
Licht ran from play-by-play man Tony Castricone’s Hurst-Mike Evans chatter, but Licht dove head first into how impressed he is by the rookie.
“Well, anytime you get Mike Evans comparisons, it makes me a little nervous,” Licht began. “But he certainly has had a great camp. There’s only one Mike Evans; I just want to point that out. But he’s done a great job. He’s got size and you can see him getting better and more comfortable. He’s playing faster as he’s learning the offense.
“You know, he’s progressed from being a flash player to doing it consistently, so that gets me very, very excited. And hopefully it carries over to the regular season. You know, when we took him, I thought, ‘He’s going to learn behind some of these great receivers we have here. So we’re in no rush. But now it’s maybe progressed to I think he’s probably going to help us this year. So, it’s something that gets me very, very optimistic about what he can do for us this year.”
Todd Bowles has proven fearless when it comes to playing rookies. Mostly, that’s been good, though it bit the Bucs hard in their last playoff game when then-rookies Jalen McMillan and Graham Barton were part of critical errors.
Joe hopes Hurst is on the field if Baker Mayfield feels he can be trusted. Talent like Hurst’s must be used.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:01 am
I don’t trust anything that Licht says. So far Hurst has shown me nothing and I suspect he is going to have a rough year. Still think the Bucs should have brought Shep back as an insurance policy for injuries and for rookies that can’t get out of their own way.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:05 am
Our roster is looking good. Especially for NFC South. Bowles will make his usual blunders but Bucs have a shot at the division again. Daniels should be the backup to Bakefield. The key might be can the starting o-line stay in the game w/o major injury. The weak link is of course Bowles.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:18 am
Outside of lucking into Evans and bringing in Brady, his record sucks.
Dude drafted a kicker that was an absolute bust high in the draft.
He drafted Winston number one overall and got zero playoff games for it.
That’s a level of failure few GM’s ever reach. He can leave with Todd after 2026.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Bring back shep ? Are you high he is a street free agent for a reason
August 24th, 2026 at 11:21 am
An indication that Hurst will play a lot with the ones is that he hasn’t played much in the first two preseason games and the fact that he played against the Jets ones in the joint practices. I might replace Mike with Hurst on my fantasy team. Especially if Mike is still hobbled.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:25 am
Once he gets into the practice of going about his business professionally (practice how you play, consistently getting in and out of your breaks, precise route running, seeing the soft spots in zone) he’s going to be good IMHO.
He’s more talented than JM and Tez. Hopefully he stays off the IR and we might just have another dynamic WR duo.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:30 am
Hurst will be fine…
hows Wirfs, EE2 and JMac?….need them 100% healthy and ready to roll week1
GO BUCS!!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 11:39 am
He’s very excited because he has to be . A first ballot HOFer chose to take less money to get away from this dysfunctional FO and coaching staff.
He was super excited about Joggin Joe Tryon too.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:41 am
Shep is a Houston Texan now
August 24th, 2026 at 11:58 am
Hurst wasn’t invisible, except maybe to Mayfield… on one 1st qtr play when Mayfield rolled to his right, Hurst got behind 2 defenders and would’ve been wide open for a TD if Mayfield has seen him
August 24th, 2026 at 11:59 am
Wasn’t Benn also a practice and workout star that disappeared in games (except with the Benn’d Around)? I can recall about 4-5 other receivers that were standouts in practice and never panned out– so hopeful but not optimistic that Hurst will work out.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
buc4evr, spot on.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Last 2 articles posted up on JoeBucsFan prove that commentors to these articles are the most negative / worst fans ever. It does not matter who they write the article about, all of sudden it becomes negative. I would hate having to live with you people.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Well, yep. There’s your kiss of death.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
If you look at the replay of that receiver screen pass attempt in the first quarter that was batted down by the unblocked Chiefs lineman, you get a good look at the Hurst burst when it looked like it may have been a backwards pass and the lineman was attempting to pick up the ball and run with it. Hurst exploded into high gear in case he had to run the play down. It was impressive.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
I need to get me a Ted Hurst jersey and a Jalon Daniels jersey. (2 of the best players on our team for the next decade.)
No sarcasm there either, just for the record.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
Ring of Fire GM J-Licht hypes up many of his draft picks…deserved or not. He sees it as a reflection on him no doubt. Time will tell if Hurst is any good in the NFL. He’s a long way from the Georgia School of Cosmetology/TV/VCR Repair.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Jason is going to realize what a big favor Mike Evans did for him by leaving
August 24th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
BiggestBucsFan Says:
August 24th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
It is really sad and strange why Mike Evans left.
———–
He left because he worked his rear off to get back for the playoffs, only to see Baker Mayfield singlehandedly lose 4 games in a row that eliminated the Bucs. He knows that Baker is a choke artist, as his 2-11 record in primetime and playoff games show. I mean Mike literally said he wanted to go to a contender “with a good QB.” How many more hints do people need?
August 24th, 2026 at 1:43 pm
Pro tip: I learned after the 2005 draft (Cadillac) never to buy a rookie jersey. In fact, I try not to buy the jerseys of guys in their rookie contracts at all, unless they’ve proven themselves to be BIG time players.
I can count on two hands how many true “greats” we’ve drafted since I learned the lesson: Factoring out guys currently still on their rookie contracts, it’s Geraldini, Lavonte, #13 (who’s still dead to me), Chris Godwin, Vita, Winfield and Tristan.
There are some solid guys in there, but for every Gerald, there’s a JTS. For every #13, there’s a Josh Freeman. For every Godwin, there’s a Trask. It’s too hit-and-miss for my hard earned money, TYVM. I did eventually buy all of those (good player) jerseys, but usually in their third year or so.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Evans will not be missed.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:47 pm
Look.
Run verticals with 3 WR.
Tire thé corners.
Then substitute 3 fresh WR.
Ànd run verticals again!
They corners will be gassed!
August 24th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
Erik with Clean Athletics…Keep in mind Daniels was playing against 3rd and 4th stringers.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Exciting week for the Coen nut nuzzlers.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Jmarkbuc Says:
August 24th, 2026 at 11:39 am
He’s very excited because he has to be . A first ballot HOFer chose to take less money to get away from this dysfunctional FO and coaching staff.
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The Bucs organization is well respected around the league. With the Ayiuk mess going on and the 49er’s owner being arrested on Prostitution charges, I wonder which place is most dysfunctional!!
August 24th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
Bakerfan, My father used to say there is a lot of people in this world that are not happy unless they are miserable. He was right!
Rod, Yes you WERE right, but not anymore! The 49ers are an older team, and injuries are really catching up to them. The window is almost closed for them and if it doesn’t happy this year it’s rebuild time. Bucs will be closer by next year than they will.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
Lol @ the idiots still trying to blame Todd or Baker for Mike leaving or that believe we’ll be worse without him.
Blame EE, J-MAC, Chris, Tez, Ted etc.
Mike was being losing his spot as “the man”.
I expect us to have 2-3 recievers with more yards and/or TDs than Mike this season.
2025 Season Statistics
Summary
Games Played: 8
Receptions: 30
Receiving Yards: 368
Yards Per Reception: 12.3
Receiving Touchdowns: 3
Yards Per Game: 46.0
August 24th, 2026 at 7:41 pm
ATLbuc
Cmon man.. Bowles is not a good coach, and Licht has been using up his 9 lives for years.
That said Jed York is another rich idiot. I do believe in JL 47, he’s done good work there.. look at his record.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:44 pm
Dudes a homer with his picks
August 24th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
Ted Hurst? I’m a fan already.