Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowl linebacker Shaq Barrett stated on Monday for reporters that he wants to stay with the NFC South club following the conclusion of the 2019 NFL regular season. The Buccaneers failed to reach the postseason again, and it could be the last time they see the 27-year-old Barrett suiting up for Tampa Bay as the former undrafted free agent out of Colorado State since Barrett is an unrestricted free agent in 2020.
According to Buccaneers team reporter Scott Smith on Twitter, Barrett said he “hundred percent” wants to stay with the Bucs.
Shaq Barrett says he “a hundred percent” wants to remain with the Buccaneers.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 29, 2019
The Buccaneers re-signed the breakout outside linebacker in March of 2019 to a one-year deal, so he's free to explore options outside of Tampa Bay when free agency comes in the new year.
Barrett put up career-best numbers with the Bucs in 2019, including leading the league with 19.5 sacks. The former Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos also posted 58 combined tackles, 19 tackles for losses, 37 quarterback hits, one interception, and six forced fumbles.
It's safe to say that Barrett will be an expensive free-agent-in-the-making in 2020, and it will be tough for the Buccaneers to solely corner the market on their emerging linebacker, who will no doubt have multiple suitors handing out big contracts.
Barrett was instrumental in Tampa Bay's league-best rushing defense, as the team gave up the fewest yards on the ground in 2019. Additionally, the Buccaneers also allowed the third-most passing yards. The Bucs racked up a total of 47 sacks, tied for sixth-best in the NFL this past season; of course, 19.5 of those came via Shaq Barrett alone.
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