Jason Licht and Todd Bowles have worked together for a number of years since joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The head coach-general manager dynamic has only existed for the last three.
Bowles and Licht have carried on the success that produced a Super Bowl and multiple playoff appearances in the years that preceded the former taking over the head coaching job. Count three more playoff appearances and three more NFC South titles.
The Bucs have built a stable playoff that has continued to improve each season. Recognizing their achievement and importance to the franchise, Tampa Bay has locked up both for the foreseeable future.
The team announced Thursday multiyear extensions for Bowles and Licht.
"Jason and Todd's leadership has been critical to our organization's success. The winning culture they have established has us well positioned for the future," Buccaneers owner/co-chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement. "The continuity and stability they provide will play a large role in our ability to compete for additional championships."
The head coach's deal stands for three more years as he prepares to enter his fourth at the helm in Tampa Bay. Bowles comes off a 10-7 season that saw the Bucs win six of their last seven games to reclaim the crown in the South.
"I am excited to continue working with Jason for years to come as we build on the success we've enjoyed and keep reaching for even bigger and better goals," Bowles said. "My family loves Tampa and we're looking forward to delivering more great moments for our fans in the coming seasons."
Licht remains one of the longest tenured executives in the NFL, preparing for his 12th season with the Bucs. He was instrumental in the blockbuster Tom Brady signing in 2020 that led to the franchise's second Super Bowl victory the following season.
Since then, Licht has engineered the transition from the Brady years to now aiding the Baker Mayfield resurgence with the Bucs, maintaining key franchise pieces in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr, Tristan Wirfs and others along the way.
While Licht's future was more secure there were some silent whispers about what a setback year could mean for Bowles' future as the head coach. Instead, the Bucs make a clear commitment to their leadership in two key areas for the coming years, investing in a continuation of the progress shown each of the last three seasons.