Broncos OLB Shaq Barrett, who is in line to be an unrestricted free agent in 2019, said Friday that he is prepared to move on for a starting role with a different team.
“I want to start. I want to be a guy somewhere. I don’t want to just be a role player,” Barrett said, per Nicki Jhabvala.
When asked if he would return to the Broncos if they offered a reserve role, Barrett said: “I can’t do it. … Reserve role is done for me, unless that’s the only role I got after this year. But that’s not what I’m looking for going into free agency.”
The Broncos have Von Miller and first-round pick Bradley Chubb in place as their starting edge rushers, so it’s unlikely they will be able to offer Barrett the kind of role and compensation he’s looking for.
Barrett, 26, wound up signing on with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State back in 2014. He was on and off of their practice squad during his rookie season but managed to make the 53-man roster in each of the following two seasons.
The Broncos re-signed Barrett to a one-year restricted deal worth $2.194 for the 2018 season. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2019.
In 2018, Barrett has appeared in 12 games for the Broncos and recorded 27 tackles, three sacks and a pass defense.
We have him featured in our Top 25 – 2019 NFL Free Agents list.
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