Buccaneers: Shaquil Barrett re-ups with Tampa Bay on four-year deal

Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett re-ups with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for four more years.

After two excellent years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett is not going anywhere. He has agreed in principle to a four-year contract worth $72 million, of which $36 million of that is fully guaranteed. His cap number for 2021 is only $5.6 million.

Barrett went undrafted out of Colorado State in 2014. He signed with the in-state Denver Broncos out of college, winning a Super Bowl in his second year in the league. However, he left the Mile High City for the Florida Gulf Coast in 2019. Barrett led the league in sacks in his first year with the Buccaneers with 19.5. He is now a two-time Super Bowl champion through seven NFL seasons.

Shaquil Barrett could have been Super Bowl 55 MVP for the Buccaneers

Being able to keep Barrett is huge for the Buccaneers’ chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions. He is one of their most important defensive players, along with linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White. The Tampa Bay front-seven had no issues with an injured Kansas City Chiefs offensive line in the Super Bowl. Barrett was outstanding in that championship ballgame.

2021 will be Barrett’s age-29 season out of Colorado State. In two years with the Buccaneers, he has 27.5 sacks. Keep in mind he only had 14 in his first five seasons with the Broncos. Look for him to continue to play at an elite level for as long as Todd Bowles remains the Buccaneers defensive coordinator. He will be a hot head-coaching candidate in the upcoming cycle for sure.

Tampa Bay helps re-solidify its pass rush by bringing back an incredible playmaker in Barrett.