Shaquil Barrett wants to return, new deal is ‘Buccaneers to lose’

Shaquil Barrett has burst onto the scene this year for the Buccaneers, and with a massive payday looming, he hopes to stay in Tampa Bay.

This offseason, outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and bet heavy on himself. Needless to say, Barrett’s gamble was well worth the risk as he has won that bet tenfold; the 27 year old pass rusher is heading to his first Pro Bowl and leads the league in sacks and forced fumbles.

After being cast into the shadows of the likes of Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, and Demarcus Ware for the first four years of his career, Barrett has burst onto the scene in his first year as a full time starter. He has tallied six forced fumbles, 16.5 sacks, 31 hits on the quarterback, and 16 tackles for loss for the pewter and red this season.

The obvious bad news about Barrett signing just a one-year deal: he is set to hit the open market again this summer, and this time will be demanding a much higher salary with much more guaranteed money. The good news for the Buccaneers: Barrett hates moving and is approaching this offseason as if he will be back in Tampa next season.

According to Bucs’ staff writer Scott Smith, Barrett is planning as if he will be at Bucs’ training camp in 2020 despite free agency looming. The Pro Bowl pass rusher also added that his new contract is “the Bucs to lose. And I don’t think they are going to lose it” (via Smith).

The feeling is mutual, Shaq. As much as Barrett would like to return to the Bucs in 2020, the fanbase has equal feelings on this return as well. Look for Barrett to command upwards of $20 million annually from the Bucs, or another team, this offseason as he has earned himself a massive payday.