Jason Licht’s Other Miss In 2025

It’s well documented that Buccaneers’ GM Jason Licht and Head Coach Todd Bowles have struggled to draft and develop consistent outside pass rush talent. That criticism is fair and earned.

However, Licht’s greatest strength has been identifying and developing offensive line talent, where he has repeatedly found value and difference-makers.

He’s hit home runs with players like Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, Ali Marpet, Alex Cappa, and Cody Mauch. While the jury is still out on Graham Barton, his ability to step in at left tackle early last season should not be overlooked.

Licht has also made some shrewd free-agent additions along the line, most notably Ben Bredeson and Justin Skule.

When healthy, the Buccaneers’ starting five of Wirfs, Bredeson, Barton, Mauch, and Goedeke was as good as any unit in the league. In 2024, they were also backed by excellent depth:

Just as important, the Buccaneers were fortunate to stay relatively healthy along the offensive line that season.

That luck disappeared in 2025. Injuries ravaged the unit, and all four depth players listed above were no longer on the roster. The obvious question is: did Licht do enough to replace them?

Elijah Klein, a sixth-round pick in 2024, and Charlie Heck, signed in free agency last March, were the primary answers. Heck was even touted as the player who would replace an injured Wirfs early in the season. Yet when opening day arrived, the Bucs instead shifted Graham Barton to left tackle and moved Bredeson to center—a reactionary solution to a problem that had been obvious for months.

As injuries continued to mount, Tampa Bay was forced to sign practice-squad veterans like Dan Feeney and Michael Jordan just to stay afloat. To say the offensive line was in a state of disarray for much of the season would be an understatement.

While defense remains the top priority this offseason, the offensive line cannot be ignored. If Licht is going to recapture his reputation for late-round draft and depth-signing magic, it needs to happen here. Without significantly improved depth in 2026, the Buccaneers’ high-powered offense risks getting stuck in neutral.