Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht suggested the franchise has felt "disrespected" following the conclusion of the Tom Brady era despite their playoff run last season.
In the 2023 NFL season, the Bucs clinched the NFC South title and secured an unlikely playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. It was the franchise’s first season without Brady, but the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s boots were adequately filled by Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield inspired the franchise to just their third divisional round appearance in 21 years before suffering a tight defeat to the Detroit Lions. The Bucs moved swiftly to complete a new deal with the quarterback, who joined Mike Evans and All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. with blockbuster new deals.
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The moves made by the Bucs allow the franchise to be flexible moving forward amid a more competitive division following the Atlanta Falcons’ signing of Kirk Cousins. During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," Tampa Bay general manager Licht was asked for his thoughts on the Falcons being tipped to win the division in 2024 - despite the Bucs being defending division champions with a similar roster for the upcoming season.
“We’re kind of used to it,” Licht said on Thursday. “I sometimes feel like, down here in Tampa, we’re in witness protection. I don’t want to say we get ---- on, but there’s kind of a lack of respect.
“You can go on, like Lavonte David, I think, is a Hall of Fame-type player. He doesn’t get enough credit as he should. Mike Evans just recently started getting talked about as a future Hall of Famer. So, we’re used to it, but you kind of use it as ammo.”
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The Falcons have emerged as a threat after Cousins ended a six-year tenure with the Minnesota Vikings by entering free agency to head to Atlanta. He put pen to paper on a four-year deal worth up to $180 million, and fans are excited to see how he would slot into a potentially explosive young offense featuring the likes of Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson.
But Licht is unconcerned. He is “keeping receipts” of those who dismiss the Bucs, suggesting the entire franchise - from the front office to the players - is entering the new season with a chip on its shoulder. The Bucs enjoyed a strong offseason while adding talent in the NFL Draft, including offensive line help in the form of former Duke center Graham Barton.
Mayfield, Evans, Winfield Jr. and long-time linebacker Lavonte David all entered the offseason with uncertain futures but Licht and the Bucs front office got the deals over the line. With much of the same team returning from the 2023 season that saw the franchise go 9-8 and win a playoff game, it will be difficult to write them off come September.