The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a big offseason ahead of them and have begun the work of freeing up salary cap room by releasing linebacker Shaquil Barrett.
The two-time Pro Bowler had a $14.1million salary cap number this year and his release comes as the franchise begin the offseason with quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans and safety Antoine Winfield all set for free agency.
Barrett has been a key part of the Tampa Bay defense in the five seasons since he joined from Denver, winning a second Super Bowl ring in 2020 following his first victory in 2015 with the Broncos. He led the league in sacks with 19.5 in 2019, but registered just 4.5 in his 16 matches last term.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles discussed the decision to release Barrett on the NFL’s Good Morning Football.
"It's never a seamless move," admitted Bowles.
“It's always, you know, from a personal side, you get very close to these guys as well as they do the coaches, and you have a relationship that never goes away.
“From a business side, in order for us to get better and bring in new talent and upgrade the team, we have to get some of these things done, and they're hard decisions, but Shaq has been great for us over the past five years. He came in, he made a heck of a name for himself. He's one of the best human beings you could ever meet, and he's still got some great playing abilities left in him."
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