The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“Shaq has been great for us over the last 5 years, but these tough decisions have to be made,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said about Barrett on NFL Network, according to Rick Stroud of Tampa Bay Times. “Who knows? We’ll see what happens down the line.”
Barrett was released before he was due a $15.04-million option in March, Schefter adds.
The former Pro Bowler was integral to the Tampa Bay team that won Super Bowl LV. He recorded eight sacks in the 2020 regular season and pitched in four sacks during the postseason during the team’s Super Bowl run.
Barrett’s best season in Tampa Bay came in 2019 when he registered a league-leading 19.5 sacks.
His play faltered in recent seasons as he only recorded 4.5 sacks in 2023 and three in 2022, though he was limited to eight games.
Barrett played the first four years of his career with the Denver Broncos and was part of the roster that won Super Bowl 50.
