Pewter Report is reporting that the Bucs are signing former Tampa Bay outdoors 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 might 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 group’s playoff push.
The Bucs launched Barrett within the offseason, eager to go along with a youthful group of out of doors linebackers after the group’s single-season sack report holder (19.5 in 2019) solely notched 4.5 sacks in 2023 a 12 months 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 surface linebacker place group. However Gregory by no means reported for the group’s OTAs, necessary mini-camp or coaching camp and was launched in August.
Tampa Bay’s outdoors 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 12 months’s main sacker, has simply 2.5 sacks with two video games remaining.
Shaq Barrett’s Agent Says He Is “Ready To Play Immediately”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter beforehand reported that Shaq Barrett’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, believes the surface linebacker can go well with up and contribute the second he indicators on the dotted line.
“We appreciate the Dolphins giving Shaq this opportunity to continue his career in the NFL,” Rosenhaus stated earlier within the week. “Hopefully he will pass through waivers and become a free agent so he can play again this season. He is in great shape and would be ready to play immediately.”
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 sort out 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 group’s 2020 playoff run that culminated with a Tremendous Bowl LV victory. He remained a essential a part of the group’s protection for the next three seasons, however after his launch following the 2023 season, he turned a free agent.
Normal supervisor Jason Licht by no means closed the door on him returning, saying as a lot throughout the 2024 NFL Scouting Mix after the group 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 along with his household.
Might Shaq Barrett Present A Enhance To Bucs OLB Corps?
Having the itch to play once more and along with his familiarity and connections with a group he known as residence for many of his profession, Shaq Barrett returns to offer a lift to a Bucs outdoors linebacker room that has not produced as anticipated.
Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka have been the group’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 achieved little in that division, with Nelson main them with three sacks. Tryon-Shoyinka has had simply two sacks in a contract 12 months, and Braswell’s enjoying time has decreased because the 12 months has progressed and has simply half a sack.
With Tampa Bay probably needing to win out to make the playoffs – and requiring assist from both Atlanta or Washington – the group 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 complete 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.