Whenever you are a successful general manager in the NFL, that means your roster management is among the best. Within that is free agency, trades, and, of course, the NFL Draft. For the Bucs under the leadership of Jason Licht, that last part has not always been a bright spot in their process.
However, in recent years, the draft has been very kind to the Bucs. They have been able to draft foundational pieces such as Antoine Winfield Jr., Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, and Zyon McCollum. With drafting well comes the need to be able to pay all of those players.
That was the topic of conversation on the latest episode of Inside Football. Host and former general manager of the Arizona Cardinals, Steve Keim, was on with Licht, and he discussed how hard it is to draft well and keep everyone.
“The negative side of having some great drafts is you can’t pay everybody. . .Keeping the gang together is probably my biggest stresser.”
The Bucs have several notable contracts expiring this upcoming season, the biggest being quarterback Baker Mayfield. But of all those players we mentioned above, they have all been extended over the past couple of seasons.
That means money is tight, paying a quarterback isn’t easy, and it is all leading to what is a make-or-break season for both the Bucs and Mayfield.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs GM Jason Licht discusses the issue that arises from drafting well
Reporting by Andrew Harbaugh, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andrew Harbaugh, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
