Offseason releases are one of the more uncomfortable parts of being in charge of NFL players; especially when the player has been incredibly productive for the team. That is the case with Shaq Barrett, the Bucs’ 2 time Pro Bowl and former All-Pro linebacker during this years’ release window.
Buccaneers’ GM Jason Licht, in an interview during Day 1 of the NFL Combine, detailed an emotional phone call he made to Barrett, informing him of the team’s decision to move on from him. Licht stated that Barrett, at one point in the call, “calmed him” as Shaq could tell his GM did not want to make that phone call.
Shaquil Barrett was signed in Free Agency after the 2018 season and made a major impact as soon as he stepped into Raymond James Stadium, signing with Tampa Bay on a 1 year “prove it” deal. His 2019 was his best by far to date. He broke the Buccaneers’ single season sack record that year, recording a monstrous 19.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and 1 interception.
Barrett made 2nd Team All-Pro as well as an obvious Pro Bowl that year. Todd Bowles recently said Shaq played “like his hair was on fire” the moment he arrived in Tampa. The following year, during the 2020 season with the addition of Tom Brady, the Bucs topped off a storybook year, winning Super Bowl LV in their home stadium with massive help from their stifling defense of which Barrett was a key piece.
Tampa Bay’s newfound defensive cornerstone made his second Pro Bowl in 2021, recording 10 sacks, 37 solo tackles, and 1 Interception. Midway through the 2022 season, Barrett would endure a series of heartbreaking on and off the field losses, tearing his achilles during the regular season in 2022 and further suffering the tragic loss of his two year-old daughter in April 2023 while rehabbing from injury.
In a superhuman effort, the resilient linebacker managed to battle back in time to start the 2023 season, playing 16 of 17 games, highlighted by a pick 6 he scored on to seal an early season win against the Bears.
Barrett will be designated a post-June 1st cut, allowing the team to spread the $26.6 million in dead money remaining on his contract across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
