Pewter Report is reporting that the Bucs are signing former Tampa Bay exterior linebacker Shaq Barrett to a one-year deal on Saturday morning after the 32-year previous move rusher cleared waivers. Barrett requested his launch from the Miami Dolphins, who held his rights after he retired previous to the beginning of the 2024 season.
***BREAKING: Pewter Report has discovered that the #Bucs will probably be signing former Tampa Bay move rusher and Tremendous Bowl LV champion Shaq Barrett on Saturday morning. Barrett cleared waivers and is again with the Bucs to assist with the staff’s playoff push.
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) December 28, 2024
The Bucs launched Barrett within the offseason, desirous to go along with a youthful group of out of doors linebackers after the staff’s single-season sack document holder (19.5 in 2019) solely notched 4.5 sacks in 2023 a yr after tearing his Achilles tendon. Tampa Bay signed Randy Gregory in April previous to the draft so as to add a veteran presence to the skin linebacker place group. However Gregory by no means reported for the staff’s OTAs, obligatory mini-camp or coaching camp and was launched in August.
Tampa Bay’s exterior linebacker room has struggled to get to the quarterback this season. Anthony Nelson, a reserve, leads the unit with three sacks whereas Yaya Diaby, final yr’s main sacker, has simply 2.5 sacks with two video games remaining.
Shaq Barrett’s Agent Says He Is “Prepared To Play Instantly”
Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett and DL Calijah Kancey and Falcons QB Desmond Ridder – Photograph by: USA At the moment
ESPN’s Adam Schefter beforehand reported that Shaq Barrett’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, believes the skin linebacker can go well with up and contribute the second he indicators on the dotted line.
“We respect the Dolphins giving Shaq this chance to proceed his profession within the NFL,” Rosenhaus stated earlier within the week. “Hopefully he’ll move by means of waivers and turn out to be a free agent so he can play once more this season. He’s in nice form and could be able to play instantly.”
That occurred and Barrett is predicted to signal with the Bucs on Saturday morning. Tampa Bay cleared some roster area by chopping two gamers, defensive deal with Earnest Brown IV and linebacker Antonio Grier Jr., and positioned security Christian Izien on injured reserve on Friday.
Barrett spent the final 5 seasons of his nine-year enjoying profession in Tampa Bay. After signing a one-year deal in 2019, he recorded 19.5 sacks and would play a key half within the staff’s 2020 playoff run that culminated with a Tremendous Bowl LV victory. He remained a important a part of the staff’s protection for the next three seasons, however after his launch following the 2023 season, he turned a free agent.
Common supervisor Jason Licht by no means closed the door on him returning, saying as a lot in the course of the 2024 NFL Scouting Mix after the staff launched him in late February. Barrett selected to signal with the Dolphins in March, however he by no means performed a snap for them after deciding to retire in July to spend extra time together with his household.
May Shaq Barrett Present A Increase To Bucs OLB Corps?
Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett and Texans QB CJ Stroud – Photograph by: USA At the moment
Having the itch to play once more and together with his familiarity and connections with a staff he referred to as residence for many of his profession, Shaq Barrett returns to offer a lift to a Bucs exterior linebacker room that has not produced as anticipated.
Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka have been the staff’s starters on the place all year long, with Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell filling in behind them. Whereas Diaby has persistently pressured opposing quarterbacks and has 42 pressures, he has solely 2.5 sacks this season.
The remainder of the room has equally executed little in that division, with Nelson main them with three sacks. Tryon-Shoyinka has had simply two sacks in a contract yr, and Braswell’s enjoying time has decreased because the yr has progressed and has simply half a sack.
With Tampa Bay seemingly needing to win out to make the playoffs – and requiring assist from both Atlanta or Washington – the staff is including Barrett to assist make a postseason push.
Barrett remained productive when he final donned the purple and pewter in 2023. Beginning in 16 video games, Barrett recorded 52 whole tackles, 4.5 sacks, and had a pick-six. Professional Soccer Focus graded him because the Fifteenth-best pass-rushing edge rusher at 84.5.
Pewter Report’s Adam Slivon contributed to this story.
