Buccaneers' LB Shaq Barrett Realistic About His Future in Tampa Bay
With all things considered, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a brilliant season.
They were doubted prior to the start of the season, multiple times during the season, and often seen as one of the least promising playoff teams once they did clinch a spot. They beat all of those odds, winning their Wild Card matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles before putting up a valiant effort against the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round.
Following the loss, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers players made their way back home to clean out their lockers now that their season has ended. During the locker cleanout, the players were made available to the media for any last-minute questions prior to heading into the offseason.
Players and things change annually across NFL rosters in the offseason and the same can be said for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One player in particular, who is still under contract for another season, that will be interesting to monitor is outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett.
Barrett's name has come to the forefront as a player that the Buccaneers' could cut during the offseason to try and save more cap dollars to sign younger, more productive players elsewhere. When speaking with the media on Monday, Barrett was very upfront about the reality that surrounds his current situation in Tampa Bay.
"I’ve been around for a minute. I know with my contract, my production, got some promising young guys … I’d still love to be here … I understand it’s a business.”
The nine-year NFL vet who went undrafted out of Colorado State has had his ups and downs over the course of his career. Barrett has been named to the Pro Bowl twice and led the league in sacks in 2019 while finishing fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and making the All-Pro 2nd team.
He hasn't quite had the production since then and suffered a serious Achilles injury just over a season ago. If he is to stay in Tampa Bay it likely will have to come at a huge discount and he likely will see his role diminished as the Bucs look to get younger and more athletic at the OLB/EDGE position.
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 season.
