The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are planning to release two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett.
Reportedly, the move was prompted by the fact that Barrett was in line for a $15.04 million bonus next month.
After years of dealing with a tight cap situation, the Buccaneers are entering the 2024 offseason with more than $40 million in cap space. However, they need all of that and more considering their star wideout Mike Evans and starting quarterback Baker Mayfield are set to become free agents and retaining both will likely come at a steep price.
It is unclear whether the Buccaneers will use a post-June 1 designation on Barrett. If they do, they will incur a $9.3 million salary cap hit. Otherwise, Barrett’s release will come with a hefty $26.7 million in dead money.
Shaquil Barrett started his career with the Denver Broncos, signing with the franchise as an undrafted free agent in 2014. After five years in Denver, Barrett left the Broncos ahead of the 2019 season for a one-year deal with the Buccaneers.
Barrett had a career year in his first season with the Bucs, leading the league with 19.5 sacks and setting a new franchise record. This prompted the Buccaneers to place a franchise tag on him in the 2020 season before signing him to a four-year, $72 million extension in 2021.
After earning Pro Bowl nods in 2019 and 2021, Barrett struggled in the past two seasons, which probably factored into the Bucs’ decision to release him. He combined for just 7.5 sacks over that span and dealt with injuries including a ruptured Achilles tendon.
