In Tampa, Rick Stroud notes the Buccaneers "decided to pick up a one-year club option" on GM Jason Licht's contract for '18 over the offseason, but his future with the team "isn't as clear" in light of its 4-10 record. A lot would "depend on whether" the Glazers turn to Licht to "help them hire another head coach" if the team parts ways with current coach Dirk Koetter. Licht "led the search" that resulted in Koetter replacing Lovie Smith. Licht "certainly helped his chances of survival with a very solid draft class" in '17 (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 12/19).
HEAR THEM OUT: In DC, Liz Clarke reports nine months after the Redskins fired GM Scot McCloughan, representatives of both parties met yesterday for the "first day of a formal grievance process over the terms of his dismissal." A source said that the closed-door hearing is "expected to take two to three days," and a resolution "isn’t expected from the NFL-appointed hearing officer for several months." At issue is roughly $2.8M in salary McCloughan would have earned "had he not been fired March 9 with 22 months remaining on a four-year contract" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/19).
PLEADING THE FIFTH: In Boston, Andrew Mahoney wrote Patriots QB Tom Brady yesterday on his weekly WEEI-FM appearance "chose not to address rumors about a rift between his guru and partner at TB12, Alex Guerrero, and coach Bill Belichick" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 12/18). Also in Boston, Jim McBride noted Patriots President Jonathan Kraft on Sunday "deflected rumors that there’s a developing rift between Patriots staffers" and Guerrero. Appearing on WBZ-FM, Kraft said, "I haven’t heard anything from the coaching staff or Alex about either one being upset with each other" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/18).
