The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have many difficult questions to answer this offseason before they prepare for the 2025 season. One that no one wants to think about is, “Will Shaq Barrett be back in Tampa Bay for 2025?”
The idea of losing Shaq Barrett does not seem like a big one, but it should be for a Bucs team looking for a consistent pass rush.
Shaq Barrett will be 32 when the next season kicks off in September but will be 33 before the season ends. During the 2024 season, he went from being retired after signing with the Dolphins to unretiring and joining the team during their late-season run. He would make one lone tackle during the season but would create some pressure in passing situations on defense.
This brings us to the question: What will his next contract be, and should the Bucs pay it?
Over the Cap speculates that as of January 28, Barrett is going to earn a lot less than he did in 2024. He signed with the Dolphins for one-year, $7 million after being a free agent from the Bucs a year ago. Over the Cap now projects he will make $687k on a one-year deal.
The Bucs are projected to have just $11 million dollars, before any adjustments, in their salary cap this offseason. The emergence of Yaya Diaby, as well as expected plans to draft more edge help, may have Barrett on the out despite the potential value.
The team could bring him back as a veteran presence to a young defense. It would make sense as they load up on younger pass rushers but if they passed on him initially in 2024, why would they give it a go around again in 2025?
Shaq Barrett’s time may be done in Tampa Bay despite his history of success with the team.