BREAKING: Shaq Barrett Is Back With The Bucs

Pewter Report is reporting that the Bucs are signing former Tampa Bay outside linebacker Shaq Barrett to a one-year deal on Saturday morning after the 32-year old pass rusher cleared waivers. Barrett requested his release from the Miami Dolphins, who held his rights after he retired prior to the start of the 2024 season.

***BREAKING: Pewter Report has learned that the #Bucs will be signing former Tampa Bay pass rusher and Super Bowl LV champion Shaq Barrett on Saturday morning. Barrett cleared waivers and is back with the Bucs to help with the team’s playoff push.

— PewterReport 🏴‍☠️ (@PewterReport) December 28, 2024

The Bucs released Barrett in the offseason, wanting to go with a younger group of outside linebackers after the team’s single-season sack record holder (19.5 in 2019) only notched 4.5 sacks in 2023 a year after tearing his Achilles tendon. Tampa Bay signed Randy Gregory in April prior to the draft to add a veteran presence to the outside linebacker position group. But Gregory never reported for the team’s OTAs, mandatory mini-camp or training camp and was released in August.

Tampa Bay’s outside linebacker room has struggled to get to the quarterback this season. Anthony Nelson, a reserve, leads the unit with three sacks while Yaya Diaby, last year’s leading sacker, has just 2.5 sacks with two games remaining.

Shaq Barrett’s Agent Says He Is “Ready To Play Immediately”

Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett and DL Calijah Kancey and Falcons QB Desmond Ridder – Photo by: USA Today

ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously reported that Shaq Barrett’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, believes the outside linebacker can suit up and contribute the moment he signs on the dotted line.

“We appreciate the Dolphins giving Shaq this opportunity to continue his career in the NFL,” Rosenhaus said earlier in 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 happened and Barrett is expected to sign with the Bucs on Saturday morning. Tampa Bay cleared some roster space by cutting two players, defensive tackle Earnest Brown IV and linebacker Antonio Grier Jr., and placed safety Christian Izien on injured reserve on Friday.

Barrett spent the last five seasons of his nine-year playing career in Tampa Bay. After signing a one-year deal in 2019, he recorded 19.5 sacks and would play a key part in the team’s 2020 playoff run that culminated with a Super Bowl LV victory. He remained a critical part of the team’s defense for the following three seasons, but after his release following the 2023 season, he became a free agent.

General manager Jason Licht never closed the door on him returning, saying as much during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine after the team released him in late February. Barrett chose to sign with the Dolphins in March, but he never played a snap for them after deciding to retire in July to spend more time with his family.

Could Shaq Barrett Provide A Boost To Bucs OLB Corps?

Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett and Texans QB CJ Stroud – Photo by: USA Today

Having the itch to play again and with his familiarity and connections with a team he called home for most of his career, Shaq Barrett returns to provide a boost to a Bucs outside linebacker room that has not produced as expected.

Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka have been the team’s starters at the position throughout the year, with Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell filling in behind them. While Diaby has consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks and has 42 pressures, he has only 2.5 sacks this season.

The rest of the room has similarly done little in that department, with Nelson leading them with three sacks. Tryon-Shoyinka has had just two sacks in a contract year, and Braswell’s playing time has decreased as the year has progressed and has just half a sack.

With Tampa Bay likely needing to win out to make the playoffs – and requiring help from either Atlanta or Washington – the team is adding Barrett to help make a postseason push.

Barrett remained productive when he last donned the red and pewter in 2023. Starting in 16 games, Barrett recorded 52 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and had a pick-six. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 15th-best pass-rushing edge rusher at 84.5.

Pewter Report’s Adam Slivon contributed to this story.

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