The Jacksonville Jaguars have already encountered a speed bump in their search for a new general manager. After putting in a handful of requests for interviews, one candidate has already withdrawn his name for consideration: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Greenberg.
Apparently, Greenberg's decision was the result of his loyalty to the Bucs' ownership and management. In the aftermath, a hilarious exchange took place on social media. A Twitter user suggested that Greenberg dropped out because Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht told him that he wouldn't be welcomed back in Tampa Bay if he didn't get the Jaguars general manager job.
Licht caught wind of the post that didn't paint him in a favorable light and responded with the laughing emoji. Below is the exchange.
😂 😂 😂
— Jason Licht (@jasonrlicht) February 5, 2025
The Twitter user wasn't enthused with the response, but quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick also took notice of the post and jokingly pointed out that it sure sounded like something Licht would say.
Sounds a lot like you…ha
— Ryan Fitzpatrick (@FitzMagic_14) February 5, 2025
All things considered, it's good to see Licht not taking the whole thing too seriously. For context, the Jags and Tampa Bay aren't on good terms after poaching then-offensive coordinator Liam Coen from the Bucs.
The issue about the ordeal is that Coen had told the Buccaneers that he was withdrawing from consideration for the Jaguars head coaching job, and returning. However, he changed his mind once Jacksonville dismissed general manager Trent Baalke, and didn't immediately communicate with Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers weren't thrilled with how the situation played out, and that might've been why they blocked Jacksonville from interviewing two members of their staff for their offensive line coach position.
The fact that Greenberg may have withdrawn from consideration for the Jacksonville general manager job fanned the flames of the club's recent feud.
The Jaguars still options beyond Mike Greenberg for Jaguars GM job
The Jacksonville Jaguars would've surely liked to sit with Mike Greenberg to assess his viability for the general manager job. But even after he withdrew from consideration, they still have plenty of intriguing options.
In fact, not long after Greenberg dropped out of consideration, the Jags requested to interview San Francisco 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams for the vacancy.
#49ers director of Scouting and Football Operations Josh Williams has been requested to interview for the #Jaguars GM job, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2025
The Columbia grad has been with the organization for 14 years and has worked with both the pro and college side of the scouting department.
Apart from Williams, the Jags are slated to meet with ascending Los Angeles Rams executive James Gladstone. Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham dubbed the favorite for the job, is still in the mix.
And those are only two names. The bottom line is that it doesn't matter why Greenberg dropped out. Maybe Jason Licht did threaten him, maybe not. But he made a conscious decision, and nobody forced him to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That's probably why Licht made fun of the Twitter post. Sure, the Jaguars and the Buccaneers may not exchange Christmas cards this year but the whole feud might be overblown. And even if they aren't on talking terms now, time helps heal.
The bottom line is that even without Mike Greenberg, the Jaguars' ongoing search for a new general manager continued.