Buccaneers dynamic duo coming to backfield near you

Carl Nassib and Shaquil Barrett were both cast off by their former teams and are now building the foundation of the future for the Buccaneers.

One cast off who got cut on live television, the other who could not get out of the shadows of a star studded group. Both Carl Nassib and Shaquil Barrett have been given a fresh start and an opportunity to thrive with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and neither have let that opportunity go to waste.

Nassib, who became the final cut of the Cleveland Browns on the 2018 season of HBO’s Hard Knocks, was immediately claimed by the Buccaneers. In his first season, he saw a rotational role which led to a six sack season and now in his second year with the team, a starting role under new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles at outside linebacker.

After consistently grading out as a high performer according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required) and not seeing an increase in playing time, Barrett came to Tampa Bay looking for an opportunity to start. Needless to say, getting Barrett on a one-year deal for just $4 million may have been the biggest steal of the entire offseason around the league.