The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not make playoffs if these four players opt out

The Buccaneers won’t make the playoffs if these four players opt-out of the 2020 season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to end a streak of 12-straight seasons missing the playoffs, but there are more questions than answers as we proceed closer to time for training camp to start.

As discussions and negotiations between the NFL owners and NFL Players’ Association begin to heat, it’s becoming more and more apparent that there are at least a handful of players that could choose to opt-out of the season for health concerns within their families.

With that being said, there are four Buccaneers, in particular, that will tell the tale of the season for Tampa Bay in terms of making a run to the postseason.

Here are four players who could determine the Buccaneers’ playoff fate if they chose to opt-out.

4. Shaquil Barrett

Shaq Barrett still has some contractual negotiations taking place currently as the Bucs and his agent work to potentially sign a long-term deal. The franchise tag was placed on Barrett earlier this offseason.

Barrett’s pass-rushing ability simply means too much to this surging defense. The Buccaneers have the potential to have one of the most improved defenses in the nation with their defensive backs taking a step forward, but it won’t matter if the star edge-rusher isn’t on the field.

Barrett has the ability to put offenses behind the chains by himself and that’s something that simply can’t be understated.