Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge-rusher and 2019 sack leader Shaquil Barrett was not signed to a long-term deal prior to Wednesday's deadline for players on the franchise tag.
However, there is optimism an agreement will be reached in due time.
Barrett previously said he wants to remain in Tampa Bay, though he also understands how factors like COVID-19 and financial concerns are prohibiting a lot of deals from getting done.
Additionally, Barrett's agent Drew Rosenhaus said he and his client are “optimistic” (via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk):
“There will not be a long-term deal at this time but optimistic about Shaq’s future in Tampa long term,” Drew Rosenhaus, Barrett’s agent, said.
Barrett signed his franchise tender, though he has since filed a grievance on the grounds he is a defensive end, rather than a linebacker. The difference in payout equates to nearly $2 million, hardly a small sum.
Despite the grievance, however, it is clear there is no malice coming from Barrett's camp. He wants to be a Buccaneer for the long haul, but also wants the payday he feels he deserves.
Perhaps this will end up being a good thing for both sides. Barrett was a dominant force in 2019, finishing the year with 19.5 sacks, 19 tackles for a loss, six forced fumbles and a whopping 37 quarterback hits. However, the 2019 campaign certainly looks like an outlier when stacked up against the rest of Barrett's career.
That said, the 27-year-old has a good chance to have another strong season. The Bucs re-signed Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh, solidifying a defensive front which helped Tampa Bay finish fifth in defensive DVOA last season.
The Bucs have Super Bowl aspirations. If Barrett can spearhead a dominant defense en route to a Lombardi Trophy, he will almost certainly see dollar signs.
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