According to NFL reporter Josina Anderson and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, outside linebacker Shaq Barrett is remaining in Tampa Bay for a run at a second straight world championship. Per Schefter, the two sides reached agreement on a four-year contract worth $72 million, with $36 million fully guaranteed.
Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds provided some context to Barrett’s new contract numbers, reporting that Barrett will receive $17 million per year in base pay with escalators to $18 million with 15 sacks and a playoff berth. Reynolds also reported that Barrett’s cap hit will be just $5.6 million in 2021, a ridiculously low number that should help the team keep TE Rob Gronkowski and DT Ndamukong Suh, at the very least.
Buccaneers are giving Shaq Barrett a four-year deal worth up $72 million that includes $36 million fully guaranteed, his agent @DrewJRosenhaus told ESPN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
After starting his career with five seasons in Denver, Barrett joined Tampa Bay on a one-year deal in 2019 and subsequently set a franchise record with a league-leading 19.5 sacks. Barrett then returned for the 2020 season by way of the franchise tag, paying the veteran edge rusher just north of $15.8 million for the 2020 season.
In his second year with the Bucs, Barrett finished near the top of the league in pressures as his 77 total pressures left him trailing just Aaron Donald, the 2020 defensive player of the year per Pro Football Focus. In addition to his flashy pressure rate, Barrett also racked up eight sacks, three forced fumbles, 12 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits. The contract reunites him with fellow edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul as the duo has combined for the second-most combined sacks of any edge pairing over the past two seasons with 45.5.
With Barrett now re-signed, along with working out a deal with linebacker Lavonte David and placing the franchise tag on receiver Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay’s primary focus in free agency will shift toward ensuring contracts are worked out with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and tight end Rob Gronkowski.
To alleviate pressure on the Bucs’ salary cap in 2021, David’s contract and quarterback Tom Brady’s extension include voidable years that give Tampa Bay some breathing room this upcoming season.
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