“It’s Trickled Down To A Lot Of Players”
April 3rd, 2026
Called out.
So a year ago the Bucs were crowing about how the culture of the Tampa Bay locker room is the best its been in well over a decade.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht and Lavonte David didn’t hesitate to say it was the best group they’d been around: team-first dudes that love the grind and don’t freak out under adversity.
Newcomers to the Bucs roster also remarked about a professional and focused group.
But now three Super Bowl pieces are gone, legends and team captains Mike Evans and Lavonte David, along with cornerback Jamel Dean. Veterans Rachaad White and Logan Hall also left the building. So Joe asked Licht this week if it’s now “a wait-and-see” situation when it comes to evaluting the locker room.
Licht was very swift in shooting that down.
“No. I still feel very good about it,” Licht said. “The legacy [Evans and David] left behind, I think it’s trickled down to a lot of players. And now it’s time for some younger guys to step up that we think have the ability step up and be leaders. I still feel very strongly about the locker room.”
Joe then asked Licht to name one young guy he thinks is the next firm leader on the team. Licht replied that Joe was putting him on the spot. Joe replied that was why Joe was in Phoenix at the NFL owners meetings.
I would say Tykee is one of the toughest young players I’ve been around and I’m looking forward to him taking another step,” Licht said.
Interesting about Smith, Joe has been told (not by Licht), that Smith is not a tactful locker room guy like David was. He’s got a mean-streets-of-Philly approach, as in he’ll bark at teammates and demand they get in line with colorful language.
Joe suspects the Bucs could use more of that.