Buccaneers GM Jason Licht admits he's like Baker Mayfield in this way

Fair or not, the perception exists that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster is worse today compared to what it was in January following the offseason departures of wide receiver Mike Evans, linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Jamel Dean.

It's no secret that Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has often been motivated to prove critics and doubters wrong throughout his career. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht was asked if he likes being "counted out," as does Mayfield. 

Jason Licht is once again keeping receipts this offseason

"I like it," Licht responded, per the Buccaneers' website. "You know I like to keep receipts. It motivates me. It has motivated me my entire life. It doesn't bother me, it just fuels me. But, this team isn't about me…I think Baker, obviously, I think we have a lot in common – besides he went to Oklahoma and I went to Nebraska, but that's not a rivalry anymore, which is a shame."

Back in 2024, Licht made it known on multiple occasions that he was keeping receipts after reporters and analysts said that signing quarterback Kirk Cousins made the Atlanta Falcons the favorites to win the NFC South division title for that season. Tampa Bay ultimately finished the campaign atop the division standings, and Cousins is no longer with the Falcons. 

How the Buccaneers will respond to Mike Evans, Lavonte David 

The Buccaneers lost two longtime leaders when Evans signed a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, and David officially confirmed his retirement. On Wednesday, Licht either intentionally or unintentionally seemed to challenge those on the Tampa Bay roster to step up and embrace the leadership roles that opened up this offseason. 

"I think we have some players that are ready to step out and become great leaders," Licht explained. "We've seen the characteristics and the traits that they've had where we think they're going to be great leaders, but maybe they were taking a little bit of a back seat and didn't want to overstep their boundaries. I think there [are] quite a few of them that I think are going to come out of their shell that I'm pretty excited about." 

For a piece published on Thursday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US shared that some people around the league think Licht will target an edge-rusher "or a downfield weapon" with the 15th overall pick of the 2026 draft. In his latest mock draft posted on Wednesday, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that Tampa Bay will grab Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq at choice No. 15.