Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Free agents that have to be re-signed
By Rob Leeds
The Buccaneers have some difficult decisions ahead of them this offseason based on which free agents they should bring back. Here is who should get the nod.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have some tough free agency decisions ahead. They have several players who will likely take up a majority of the cap themselves yet the Bucs may be forced to overpay to keep talent in Tampa Bay.
While the Bucs do have to toe the line with the salary cap, these players must be brought back.
Shaquil Barrett, OLB
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
Shaquil Barrett is one free agent that every Bucs fan can agree on bringing back. Barrett was one of the best defensive players in the entire NFL in 2019 and missed out on the top accolades mostly due to being a member of a smaller-market team.
Barrett essentially came out of nowhere in 2019 after starting training camp behind Noah Spence. After Spence was let go Barrett exploded onto the scene with eight sacks in the first three weeks.
This extremely high level of play was mostly maintained throughout the season and Shaquil Barrett finished the season with 19.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, 37 quarterback hits, and an interception.
Barrett outplayed most of the outside linebackers in the league and received Pro Bowl honors as well as a Second-team All-Pro selection.
Shaquil Barrett was able to revolutionize rushing the passer for the new and improved Buccaneer defense while also breaking the Buccaneer single-season sack record previously held by Warren Sapp.
The Buccaneers cannot turn a blind eye to statistics like this and must bring back Barrett despite likely being forced to overpay. The Buccaneers will be operating on a single season of evidence to grant a massive payday, but regardless of the potential risks, the Buccaneers must bring Sack Barrett back to Tampa Bay.