Bucs GM Jason Licht defends the character of Rueben Bain Jr.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were not surprised by the off-field context surrounding Rueben Bain Jr., and general manager Jason Licht made it clear the organization was comfortable with its evaluation before selecting him at No. 15 overall.

As reported by ESPN’s Jenna Laine, the Buccaneers had been aware of the situation well before it became public and conducted extensive background work throughout the pre-draft process.

Speaking after the pick, Licht said the team had been aware of the situation involving a 2024 motor vehicle accident “for a long time” and had done extensive background work leading up to the draft. He acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, calling it a “very tragic accident” while also offering support for Bain.

“But he’s a good person,” Licht said. “He was involved in something that none of us ever want to be involved in.”

The Buccaneers’ approach reflects how they handled Bain’s evaluation throughout the process. Rather than reacting to information that became public shortly before the draft, the organization had already factored it into its decision-making and continued to view him as a fit both on and off the field.

Licht also pointed to Bain’s approach to the game as a key factor in the decision, noting his passion, his practice, and play. That combination of production, play style, and internal evaluation ultimately led Tampa Bay to stay on the board and make the selection.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs GM Jason Licht comments on Rueben Bain Jr. off the field story