Two weeks ago, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles confirmed the team’s “tough decision” to release outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett, calling Barrett “one of the best human beings you could ever meet.” On Wednesday, after the NFL’s new league year kicked off at 4:00 p.m. ET, the Buccaneers made that move official.
Barrett had one year left on the four-year contract he signed with the Buccaneers in 2021. By waiting until after the start of the league year, the Bucs retained the ability to designate him as a post-June 1 cut, which would allow them to spread the dead cap hit over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Since the Buccaneers announced their intentions to release Barrett in February and gave him permission to speak with other teams, he has reportedly agreed to a deal to play for the Miami Dolphins in 2024.
Barrett departs after a very productive five-year run in Tampa that made him one of the best free agent additions in franchise history. After four seasons as a rotational player for the Denver Broncos, he signed a one-year “prove-it” deal with the Buccaneers in 2019 for a chance to compete for a starting job. Not only did Barrett win that job but he went on to set a new franchise record with 19.5 sacks, becoming the first Buccaneer ever to lead the NFL in that category. He finished fourth in the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year voting after that season and earned his first career Pro Bowl invite.
“Shaq’s contributions to the Buccaneers both on and off the field these past five seasons have been extraordinary and he will be missed by many in and around the organization,” said General Manager Jason Licht. “His leadership, work ethic, and dedication to the game have been unmatched and the courage he displayed last season was truly inspirational. We are grateful for Shaq’s time here in Tampa and will always have a special place in our hearts for the Barrett family.”
Barrett added another 8.0 sacks in 2020 while playing on the franchise tag and was an integral part of the team’s postseason run to the Super Bowl LV title. He recorded 4.0 sacks in the playoffs that season, including 3.0 in the Bucs’ win in Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game.
Barrett hit double digits in sacks again in 2021, with 10.0, and made the Pro Bowl for a second time. His Barrett’s 2022 season was cut short after eight games and 3.0 sacks due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. He recaptured his starting spot in 2023 and recorded 4.5 sacks…
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