The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have restructured OLB Shaquil Barrett’s contract. The move will help free up over $11 million in cap space for the team. Entering the new league year, Tampa Bay had a little over $2 million in cap space. Then, on March 8th, the team elected to use their franchise tag on wide receiver Chris Godwin. This move cost the Bucs $19.18 million in cap space.

As a result, Tampa Bay was poised to open the 2023 season $16.5 million over the salary cap, which is not allowed by the league. The move to restructure Barrett’s contract will go a long way to getting the franchise cap compliant.

The restructure most likely ensures that Barrett will remain with the team at least through the 2023 season. Converting $14,880,000 of his 2022 signing bonus to a restructure bonus pushes over $11 million in freed up cap space to future years, making Barrett’s dead cap hit much larger in 2023. The Bucs executed a similar restructure with Vita Vea on Saturday.

Barrett, entering his fourth year with the Bucs and second year on his current 4-year, $68 million contract, is coming off a productive season. Last year the pass rusher combined for 51 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Barrett’s team-leading 10 sacks earned him his second Pro Bowl nod in the past three years. The 29-year old is currently under contract for the next three seasons.