Bucs star pass rusher Shaq Barrett announced earlier this week on SiriusXM NFL Radio that whether it be on the franchise tag or on a new long-term deal, he is committed to playing for the Buccaneers in 2020.

That is music to Bucs fan’s ears certainly.

Part of Barrett’s desire to be part of the Tampa Bay defense – besides the minimum $15.8 million dollars he will earn this year – are his teammates and coaches.

During the interview last week, Barrett spoke highly of the guys around him, particularly Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh.

Bucs NT Vita Vea – Photo by: Getty Images

“They meant a lot. That’s why I love the situation I’m in,” Barrett said. “I’m happy the way the front office brought pretty much everybody back that they could because I do think it’s a team effort. I did do some stuff, but everything works so great together with Suh in there, Vita, we get to communicate, he was always willing to let me do me or we communicate and talk about everything. Like Vita, I’ll be watching Vita, like in a game I won’t be able to see it because I’m on the field, but when I watch the film the next day I’ll be looking like ‘Woo! I did not know Vita was doing that.’ Vita, he could be killing, he’s killing it, run and pass.

“Suh (is) in there early, he’s a professional. There’s nothing that Suh doesn’t do, he takes everything serious, he’s also a good person too. I’m happy I got to meet Suh because, you know like the media always makes people out to be a certain type of player but that wasn’t Suh, Suh is a great guy all around. He’s ready, like he’s really into helping me out at anytime of the game if I want to go inside he’s fine, he’s going to cover me, he’s even teaching me everything, he talks to me a lot. I love being there with Suh.”

The NFL season is still on schedule to get underway later this month with players reporting to training camp. But Barrett knows things will be different than anything he has experienced in the past as the league – and the world – deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo by: Getty Images

“I am not counting down the days because I see COVID in Florida is getting a lot worse than it was initially,” Barrett said. “But I am excited too to get back on the field but I got to wait until it’s safe when the time comes, but I am excited to get back on the field, I do miss it. I am busy out here in Colorado training, the people I’ve been training with in Colorado for like the last three-four years, Landow Performance, it’s been going good. I’m getting my body where it needs to be at and ready for the season.

“I’m not as concerned because I’m pretty sure they’re gonna wait until it’s a safe as possible  or the best way possible for us to do it. But I am worried because I do have kids and the hospitals are full down there and I do not want to put my kids in those type of risks for anything. But I do know with everything we got at hand there shouldn’t be any reason why we can’t do it the best way and the safest way possible with all the resources we have.”