Tampa Bay Buccaneers expected to release linebacker Shaquil Barrett

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have chosen to release veteran linebacker Shaquil Barrett this week, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Barrett, who just wrapped up his 10th season in the league, was owed a $15.04 million option bonus next month. Instead, he’ll hit the free agency market when the league new year hits on March 13.

Barrett last signed a four-year deal with the Buccaneers in March of 2021 for $68 million. A year later, the two sides renegotiated the deal to add a void year. They did the same in 2023.

This season, Barrett started 16 of 16 games played for Tampa Bay. He had 33 tackles with 4.5 sacks, coming off of a 2022 season with three sacks and a 2021 season with 10. He also added three forced fumbles and a pick-six.

The former Colorado State star played the 2023 season in honor of his daughter Arrayah who passed away in the offseason. In addition to overcoming the tragedy in his personal life, Barrett was coming back from a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in October of 2022.

A former undrafted free agent, Barrett began his career with the Denver Broncos in 2014. He began playing for them in 2015, tallying 14 sacks over four seasons. The Buccaneers then signed him as a free agent on a one-year deal in 2019 for $4 million. He set the team’s single-season sack record that year, leading the NFL with 19.5 and earning the biggest contract of his career so far. He will turn 32 during the 2024 NFL season.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.