Ex-Super Bowl Winning Buccaneer On Being Released: 'Tampa Gonna Be Mad They Let Me Go'

Former Tampa Bay outside linebacker Shaq Barrett speaks out following his signing with the Miami Dolphins.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to improve off of a surprising 2023 season that saw them reach the Divisional round of the playoffs before their season ended. They have done a superb job thus far into the offseason, but have had to make some tough choices along the way, including trading away starting cornerback Carlton Davis and letting go of the franchise leader in single-season sacks, in OLB Shaquil Barrett.

Barrett wasn't without a home for too long, though, as he soon signed a one-year deal to stay in the state of Florida -- coming to terms with the Miami Dolphins.

On Friday, Barrett was officially announced as joining the Dolphins and when speaking with the media, he spoke about his past play while also explaining the chip on his shoulder after the Buccaneers let him walk.

"A lot to prove," said Barrett, who was let go by Tampa Bay. "Especially getting cut from another team like that, adds another whole fuel to the fire right there. And I'm like, Dolphins gonna be happy they signed me. Tampa gonna be mad they let me go."

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Harsher words have definitely been said by former players, but it is sad to see Barrett leave after all that he has meant to the Tampa Bay locker room over the past five seasons. He came in and immediately took over during his first season, accumulating a league-leading 19.5 sacks and was a integral piece during the Buccaneers' Super Bowl run in 2020.

Barrett then had some injury concerns as he tore his Achilles and since then has never really regained that edge that he used to have. Barrett is definitely serviceable still from the position, although he is getting older, and he should be able to provide Miami with what they are looking for.

For the Buccaneers, it was a move to help shed a bit of cash while also looking to get younger and more athletic on the outside as they struggled to get pressure at moments during the 2023 season -- especially when only bringing four defenders. Improving in this aspect of the game likely will bring the floor of the defense up and hopefully bring a bit more balance to the Bucs' defense that struggled in certain areas during 2023.

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