Pro Bowl outside linebacker Shaquille Barrett isn’t too convinced that he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will manage to get an extension done before the July 15th deadline.
Barrett recently made an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio and said that agreeing to long-term deal with Bucs will “probably be pretty hard” despite the ongoing negotiations between two sides.
“Long-term will probably be pretty hard with the situation of the world right now. I think we’re working on a deal, but it probably won’t be long (term),” said Barrett.
Buccaneers placed a franchise tag on Barrett back in March after he led the NFL with 19.5 sack last season. The 27-year-old linebacker still hasn’t signed a tag, but intends to do so if the deal isn’t done.
“We’re just still trying to work something out. But the franchise tag, it wasn’t like 50-50, like if I don’t get something done I’m going to sign that for sure,” he explained. “We’re still trying to work to get something done and we were just going to wait as long as we could.”
Barrett also decided to remove any doubts about his short-term future, saying: “I will most definitely be here next year.”
After five years with Denver Broncos, Shaq Barrett inked a one-year prove-it deal with Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of 2019 season. Barrett not only “proved it,” but also had a career year in which he had career stats all across the board. He also earned his first Pro Bowl appearance and Second-Team All-Pro honors.
After earning $4 million in 2019, Barrett is set to earn $15.8 million in 2020 if he ends up signing the tag.
