This year's Super Bowl still has yet to be played, but the other 30 NFL teams not participating are already getting a head start on the offseason. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of those squads. After posting a 7-9 record this season, the franchise has a very important decision to make in regards to free-agent linebacker Shaq Barrett.
Barrett joined Tampa Bay on a one-year “prove it” deal after four seasons with the Denver Broncos. To say he performed well in 2019 would be an understatement. In addition to forcing six fumbles and amassing 58 tackles, Barrett led the NFL with a whopping 19.5 sacks. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound pass rusher terrorized opposing quarterbacks all season long, recording 37 total QB hits.
With free agency and a huge payday on the horizon, what three teams make the best landing spots for Barrett?
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This may be cheating, but it just makes a ton of sense. The Buccaneers believed in Barrett's talent in inking him to a deal last offseason. He rewarded them with an awesome season. Head coach Bruce Arians has been on record expressing how much the team values having the star OLB. Even Barrett has publicly admitted the fit is there:
Shaq Barrett’s thoughts on free agency haven’t changed. Today at the Pro Bowl: “I don’t know where it’s going to end up at but I’m confident that I’m going to be where I should be, which I think is Tampa.”
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) January 22, 2020
The two sides have yet to work out a deal but even if they can't come to an agreement, Tampa Bay can slap the franchise tag on Barrett and try again down the road. Arians ignited a culture change inside the locker room and the defense improved throughout the course of the year. Barrett was a huge part of that — it would make sense for him to help finish what he started.
2. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona has some pieces already in place. A young, up-and-coming quarterback that could make a huge leap in year two. A dynamic young head coach to pair with him. Some future Hall of Famers that also serve as great leaders. On top of that, the Cardinals' cap situation is terrific heading into the 2020 offseason.
Barrett would be a tremendous addition to a defense that finished right in the middle of the league in sacks a year ago. Generating a pass rush will result in more opportunities for the offense, which will, in turn, allow Kyler Murray to score more points. It's a no-brainer, assuming the Cardinals are willing to shell out some serious cash.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Besides having a ton of draft picks at their disposal, along with one of the league's best head coach/quarterback duos, the Baltimore Ravens still have another calling card. Defensively, Don Martindale's unit allowed the third-fewest points in the league and finished just outside the top 10 in sacks. With plenty of cap space to work with, sliding Barrett in at the EDGE rusher spot would make one of the league's scariest units downright terrifying.
The Baltimore situation is essentially the Cardinals one, but many times better. By signing with Baltimore, Barrett would be able to win, get paid, and have fun doing it.
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