Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Top 10 free agency signings in team history

Number 5: Shaquil Barrett – OLB (2019-?)

Depending on how this offseason goes, Shaquil Barrett can very easily get bumped up in this list. However, for someone who was signed in ALL THE WAY BACK in 2019 for a one-year contract worth $4 million, Barrett’s accomplishments whilst with the Buccaneers have been spectacular.

Barrett was a rotational pass rusher with the Denver Broncos, but when he joined the Buccaneers in 2019, a star was born. Barrett would go on to lead the league with 19.5 sacks, breaking the single-season sack record for the franchise set by Warren Sapp in the process. He would also record 58 tackles, six forced fumbles, two pass deflections, and an interception, all while being voted to the Pro Bowl, and second-team All-Pro.

After getting the $15.8 million franchise tag placed on him in 2020 Barrett would record another eight sacks and was an absolute force in the postseason. Barrett would record four sacks in the 2020 playoffs, including one in Super Bowl LV. He may not have had the best stats in the big game, but he did make Patrick Mahomes’ life a living nightmare and was truly outstanding while being a difference-maker in the game.

The Buccaneers now have some work to do if they want to keep Barrett around, but regardless of what happens, he will still go down as one of the greatest signings the Buccaneers ever made when the sheer return on investment that was received is taken into account. Here’s to hoping his Buccaneers career continues for years to come.