Buccaneers EDGE Shaq Barrett Plans To Sign Tag If No Long-Term Deal Is Reached

In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio, Buccaneers EDGE Shaq Barrett says he plans to sign the franchise tag if the two sides can’t agree on a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline. 

“If we don’t get (anything longterm) done, I’m going to sign that for sure,” Barrett said. 

While negotiations continue, Barrett acknowledged there are some difficulties hammering out an extension right now with the uncertainty in the NFL’s financial future because of the pandemic.

However, he says he’s locked into playing in 2020 for Tampa Bay no matter what. 

“We’re just still trying to work something out,” Barrett said. “…I’m most definitely going to be here next year.”

Barrett was one of the steals of the offseason last year after signing a one-year “prove-it” deal worth up to $5 million and leading the NFL with 19.5 sacks. But he admitted the process of securing a contract after holding up his end on the field has been taxing. 

“I mean, there is a little frustration because I did do everything I could do and I tried to make it as easy as possible so that it wouldn’t be like nothing up in the air,” Barrett said. “But I guess I didn’t do as much as I needed to do or as much as I thought I needed to do. I don’t mind having my back against the wall but I do love security a lot more.”

The franchise tag will cost the Buccaneers $15.8 million fully guaranteed for the 2020 season. 

Barrett, 27, signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State in 2014. He was waived coming out of the preseason and re-signed to Denver’s practice squad. 

After bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and active roster, Barrett landed on the active roster at the end of his rookie year. Barrett signed with the Buccaneers as an unrestricted free agent in 2019 to a one-year, $4 million deal. 

In 2019, Barrett appeared in all 16 games for the Buccaneers and recorded 58 total tackles, 19.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, one interception and two pass defenses. He was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 25 edge defender out of 107 qualifying players. 

We had him included in our Top 100 – 2020 Free Agents list.