Bucs Now Viewed In Different Light By National Media?

Bucs general manager Jason Licht is known to be a receipt keeper.

Licht shared as much with Pewter Report during the 2024 offseason.

“It’s all digital,” Licht joked about his receipt folder. “All of my screenshots are in an album on my phone.”

After winning nine games in 2023, Tampa Bay exceeded expectations in a season when many in the national media did not view the team as being a playoff contender. In fact, some believed they would be in the running to draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1.

At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Licht confronted Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr with one receipt after Orr predicted the Bucs would only win two games that year. He was glad to meet him and “stand on business.”

Fast forward to this season, Orr has drastically changed how he sees the Bucs in 2025.

Bucs Have Made Conor Orr A Believer That They Can Go On Deep Playoff Run

The full nine-minute video of Conor Orr and Albert Breer is worth your time watching as each shares their thoughts about this Bucs team. Orr first shared that he expects Tampa Bay to win the NFC South again.

Then, he dove into the why and believes head coach Todd Bowles is the key factor.

“I think this team – they are just more complete,” Orr said. “With Bowles, I think what’s cool about him is he’s very comfortable in his own skin. He’s very clear on what he wants. He makes life easier for another offensive coordinator. That’s the part that no one has talked about. If I had to list a Bucs strength, I would say this, ‘You lose Dave Canales, you lose Liam Coen, both to head coaching jobs because they were both viewed as guys who came in and kind of magically transformed or elevated Baker Mayfield.’

“However, I think what the real secret sauce here is Bowles being like, ‘This is exactly what I need you to do, because this is exactly what I’m going to do. I’ll leave you over here, you can come over here.’ Listen, that’s not like that everywhere. It’s just not… I think Bowles has really grown as a CEO. I think he’s going to hang onto this job for a little while. I think Baker probably still has a few more steps to take.”

The analogy of Bowles being the CEO of this football team holds some merit. He has helped shape the identity of the franchise through his no-nonsense approach that has rubbed off on the players. In a lot of ways, he has brought stability when it was needed most, which is why the organization decided to extend both him and Jason Licht.

No matter who was on the field, the veteran defensive playcaller has made it work. When midseason losing streaks have cast some doubt, the Bucs showed resilience to push through and fight to the postseason.

Now, it is all about taking that next step, which Orr believes that they can.

“We know that they’re good enough,” Orr said. “We know that they’re talented enough. [If] Baker takes that next step toward – the variances drop. There’s not as many of those Baker moments where he kind of disappears for half of a quarter. I think he’s got that in him.”

It’s interesting that Orr pointed out Mayfield’s downsides, as that is something we saw him limit from 2023 to 2024. The “duds” he had his first season were a lot fewer last season, and he had a career year because of it. Still, there is room to grow and become the NFL’s top offense. If they do, there’s no reason the team cannot make some noise in the playoffs.

“I think this is a team that’s good enough to go to the conference championship. Why not?”

How quickly the tone has changed from those on the outside that predicted the Bucs to fall off post-Tom Brady. If making the playoffs in 2023 was not enough, the Falcons became the betting favorite to win the NFC South in 2024 after adding quarterback Kirk Cousins.

After proving so many doubters wrong, they are finally coming around to recognize the talent and fight Tampa Bay has.

“I am famous for – and everyone who watches this show knows – getting dunked on by Jason Licht for picking them to win two games the year that they won [nine] and then beat the Eagles in the playoffs. I’ve owned that. Since then, I’ve picked them to win the division… Come back to me a little bit here! I believe, I’ve converted.”