Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett will not hit the open market. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have used the franchise tag on the edge defender, keeping him in town for at least one more season. As of this posting, Barrett has yet to sign the one-year, fully-guaranteed deal.
The #Bucs are franchise tagging pass-rusher Shaq Barrett, source said, locking him in after a career year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
Shaquil Barrett Franchise Tagged by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Shaquil Barrett is coming off a massive breakout season, which saw him finish with 19.5 sacks – not only more than tripling his career high, but also leading the league and breaking Warren Sapp’s franchise record. He also had 58 tackles (45 solo) and six forced fumbles – all of those being career highs too. He also recorded the first interception of his career. His efforts ultimately got him the first Pro Bowl berth of his career. He was named Second-Team All-Pro as well.
Barrett played football in high school at Boys Town, Nebraska. Barrett started out playing in college at Nebraska-Omaha in 2010. He ended up transferring to Colorado State after the former ended its football program. He went undrafted in 2014, and was signed by the Denver Broncos where he remained through 2018.
Barrett spent essentially all of 2014 on the practice squad, and was only active for one regular season game. However, he did not play a snap. He made the final roster in 2015, where he became a role player in the defense that helped win the team the Super Bowl. He had five and a half sacks that year, which remained his career high until 2019.
Barrett didn’t miss a game from 2015 to 2017, but only had 15 starts during that time and was never really a key player on the defense. He played in Super Bowl 50, but only recorded one tackle due in part to being evaluated for a concussion for part of the game. Barrett did find an extra role on special teams a tackler, and recorded a blocked punt in 2017.
Barrett thus far in his career has 209 tackles (156 solo), 33.5 sacks, one interception, nine passes defensed, 13 forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
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