It’s been a strong start to the season for Bucs outside linebacker Shaq Barrett, who leads the team with 3.5 sacks. The Pro Bowler picked up 1.5 sacks in the Bucs 45-17 dismantling of the Dolphins in Week 5, dropping Jacoby Brissett twice. But Barrett isn’t ready to retrieve his nickname “Sack Barrett” just yet.

“No,” Barrett said when asked if he would be referred to as Sack Barrett again. “I need a 3-sack game. Once I get a 3-sack game, I’ll be Sack Barrett again.”

Bucs OLB Shaquil Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Barrett famously arrived in Tampa Bay on a cheap deal in 2019, but went on to lead the league with 19.5 sacks. The 28-year old was stymied a bit in 2020, finishing with just eight sacks in the regular season. Barrett openly expressed frustration with himself for not having better production last year. But Barrett’s 4-sack postseason paced the way for the Bucs defense on the way to the Super Bowl.

This offseason, Barrett has been outspoken about getting off to a better start. He was impressive during the first two weeks of the season, but was quiet in a loss to the Rams. Afterward, Barrett made it known he expects more from himself.

“I retired that name,” Shaq said. “I’m just ‘Shaquille Barrett’. I have to get double-digit [sacks] to earn that back.”

Barrett needs just 6.5 sacks in 12 games to reach double-digit quarterback takedowns for the second time in his career.