Shaq Barrett: ‘Tampa gonna be mad they let me go’

Now with the Miami Dolphins, veteran pass rusher Shaq Barrett clearly has a chip on his shoulder after being cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved on from veteran pass rusher Shaq Barrett this offseason, saving some salary cap space and opening up opportunities for younger players to get more reps at outside linebacker in 2024.

Barrett signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins after being let go by the Bucs, and it’s clear he’s got a chip on his shoulder after Tampa Bay decided to release him.

“A lot to prove,” Barrett said this week (via Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post). “Especially getting cut from another team like that, adds another whole fuel to the fire right there. And I’m like, Dolphins gonna’ be happy they signed me. Tampa gonna’ be mad they let me go.”

Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Barrett was a cheap signing on a one-year deal by the Bucs back in 2019, and he responded by leading the NFL with 19.5 sacks, getting the franchise tag and eventually a long-term contract extension from Tampa Bay. He was a key piece of the Bucs’ championship team in 2020, including a dominant performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

After a torn Achilles ended his 2022 season prematurely, Barrett simply wasn’t the same player last season. Set to turn 32 years old this season, the Bucs obviously wanted to go with younger, cheaper options at the position.

That being the case, Barrett is clearly hoping to make Tampa Bay regret that decision with a bounce-back campaign in Miami this year.

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Report: Titans were ‘really close’ to trading for Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed

The Titans were reportedly “really close” to trading for Chiefs CB, L’Jarius Sneed.

We’ve seen differing reports on how close the Tennessee Titans — and other teams — were to trading for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who remains a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

But The Athletic’s Dianna Russini clarified things during a recent episode of “The Athletic Football Show”, stating the Titans and Indianapolis Colts were “really close” to completing a trade for Sneed. The holdup, she believes, had to do with Sneed’s contract extension demands.

Russini notes that this came before the Titans signed Calvin Ridley last week, and adds that all trade talks aren’t dead but the chances of Tennessee landing Sneed are “smaller” now. She believes the Colts are the front-runners.

You can check out the entire clip below.

As far as what draft compensation the Titans would’ve sent to Kansas City is concerned, Russini did not say. But clearly the Titans were ready to pull the trigger on what could have been a massive upgrade to their secondary.

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Former Bucs OL Aaron Stinnie signs 1-year deal with Giants

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Aaron Stinnie is signing a one-year deal in free agency with the New York Giants

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Aaron Stinnie is signing a one-year deal with the New York Giants, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Stinnie has spent most of his career in Tampa Bay as a backup, but started 11 games at guard last season, and also performed admirably when thrust into the starting lineup due to injury during the Bucs’ Super Bowl run back in 2020.

This news comes at the same time the Bucs have signed a one-year deal with former Giants guard Ben Bredeson, which means he and Stinnie are basically just switching places in free agency.

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Calvin Ridley’s new contract makes Mike Evans’ deal a massive bargain

Calvin Ridley’s massive new deal with the Titans makes Mike Evans even more of a steal for the Bucs

One of the first big surprises of NFL free agency this year is on the board, as the Tennessee Titans are poaching veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley away from the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars with a massive contract.

Ridley is getting a four-year deal worth $92 million, with $50 million in guaranteed money, per multiple reports.

That’s a super-rich deal for a receiver who turns 30 years old this season, missed an entire season due to a gambling suspension, and has dealt with multiple injuries throughout his career.

It’s especially rich when compared to the two-year deal Mike Evans got from the Bucs that will pay him up to $52 million, which includes $35 million guaranteed.

Yes, Evans will turn 31 years old this season, but he’s also been far more productive and consistent over the course of his career. Even last year, at 30 years old, Evans put up some of his best single-season numbers to date, despite losing Tom Brady as his quarterback (79 receptions, 1,255 yards, league-high 13 touchdown receptions).

Ridley was solid for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, going over 1,000 yards and catching eight touchdowns, but it was just the second time he’s topped the 1,000-yard mark in his six seasons in the league. Evans has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in each of his 10 NFL seasons, by far the NFL record to start a career, and one shy of Jerry Rice’s all-time mark.

Tampa Bay kept Evans with a much shorter contract term and $15 million less guaranteed money than Ridley is getting from the Titans, making him a massive steal for what he brings to the offense.

This is just one more on a long list of massive wins for Bucs general manager Jason Licht and the rest of Tampa Bay’s front office.

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Calvin Ridley’s new contract makes Mike Evans’ deal a massive bargain

Calvin Ridley’s massive new deal with the Titans makes Mike Evans even more of a steal for the Bucs

One of the first big surprises of NFL free agency this year is on the board, as the Tennessee Titans are poaching veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley away from the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars with a massive contract.

Ridley is getting a four-year deal worth $92 million, with $50 million in guaranteed money, per multiple reports.

That’s a super-rich deal for a receiver who turns 30 years old this season, missed an entire season due to a gambling suspension, and has dealt with multiple injuries throughout his career.

It’s especially rich when compared to the two-year deal Mike Evans got from the Bucs that will pay him up to $52 million, which includes $35 million guaranteed.

Yes, Evans will turn 31 years old this season, but he’s also been far more productive and consistent over the course of his career. Even last year, at 30 years old, Evans put up some of his best single-season numbers to date, despite losing Tom Brady as his quarterback (79 receptions, 1,255 yards, league-high 13 touchdown receptions).

Ridley was solid for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, going over 1,000 yards and catching eight touchdowns, but it was just the second time he’s topped the 1,000-yard mark in his six seasons in the league. Evans has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in each of his 10 NFL seasons, by far the NFL record to start a career, and one shy of Jerry Rice’s all-time mark.

Tampa Bay kept Evans with a much shorter contract term and $15 million less guaranteed money than Ridley is getting from the Titans, making him a massive steal for what he brings to the offense.

This is just one more on a long list of massive wins for Bucs general manager Jason Licht and the rest of Tampa Bay’s front office.

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Baker Mayfield knows exactly what Justin Fields is going through

Much like Justin Fields, Baker Mayfield was once the lame-duck trade asset after his team gave up on him

Not too long ago, Baker Mayfield was waiting around to see where the Cleveland Browns were going to trade him after they had given up on him in favor of Deshaun Watson.

Now, Justin Fields is in a similar situation, as the Chicago Bears are expected to spend the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

Mayfield ended up being dealt to the Carolina Panthers eventually, and after bouncing between them and the Los Angeles Rams, finally found a long-term home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Appearing on NFL Network on Wednesday, Mayfield was asked if he had any advice for Fields as he navigates his current situation with the Bears:

Mayfield signed a cheap one-year deal with the Bucs last offseason, and responded with the best season of his career, making the Pro Bowl while leading Tampa Bay to a third straight NFC South title and a narrow road loss in the second round of the playoffs to the Detroit Lions.

Hopefully for Fields, a similar bounce-back awaits him in the next chapter of his football journey.

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Baker Mayfield knows exactly what Justin Fields is going through

Much like Justin Fields, Baker Mayfield was once the lame-duck trade asset after his team gave up on him

Not too long ago, Baker Mayfield was waiting around to see where the Cleveland Browns were going to trade him after they had given up on him in favor of Deshaun Watson.

Now, Justin Fields is in a similar situation, as the Chicago Bears are expected to spend the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

Mayfield ended up being dealt to the Carolina Panthers eventually, and after bouncing between them and the Los Angeles Rams, finally found a long-term home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Appearing on NFL Network on Wednesday, Mayfield was asked if he had any advice for Fields as he navigates his current situation with the Bears:

Mayfield signed a cheap one-year deal with the Bucs last offseason, and responded with the best season of his career, making the Pro Bowl while leading Tampa Bay to a third straight NFC South title and a narrow road loss in the second round of the playoffs to the Detroit Lions.

Hopefully for Fields, a similar bounce-back awaits him in the next chapter of his football journey.

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Former Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett signing with Dolphins

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaq Barrett is signing with the Miami Dolphins.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaq Barrett is planning to sign with the Miami Dolphins when NFL free agency officially opens up Wednesday, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.

A two-time Super Bowl champion and former All-Pro, Barrett has 59 career sacks, and was a key member of Tampa Bay’s championship team back in 2020. He also led the NFL with 19.5 sacks in 2019.

Barrett saw a dip in his production last season after coming off a torn Achilles, but he won’t have to move far to play for his new team in South Florida.

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When does NFL free agency start?

Get all the info on when NFL free agency officially kicks off this week

The 2024 NFL offseason is about to kick off in full force, as the new league year is set to begin this week.

So, what’s the timeline for free agency?

Starting Monday at noon ET, pending free agents are allowed to discuss contracts with new teams and agree to terms, but no new deals can be signed until the league year officially begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Veterans who have already been released by their previous teams are free to sign at any point right now, and teams are also free to negotiate with and re-sign their own pending free agents at any time.

We’re just a couple of hours away from the frenzy getting underway, so enjoy the calm before the storm.

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NFL salary cap increases to $255.4 million for 2024

The number is about $13 million more than estimates, which could help out the Bucs in retaining some of their numerous free agents.

The official 2024 salary cap number is here — and it’s much bigger than expected.

The NFL announced on Friday that the salary cap is set at $255.4 million dollars, largely due to the repayment of advanced and deferred money from the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020 season. This is a pleasant surprise for NFL teams around the league, as it’s a $30 million increase from 2023 and $13 million more than Over the Cap projected to be the salary cap heading into 2024.

This is of course nice for every NFL team, but it’s definitely a bit of a boon for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs have numerous free agents like wide receiver Mike Evans, quarterback Baker Mayfield, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and linebacker Devin White, and this unexpected jump in salary cap could be the difference in keeping a player that might have departed under previous projections.

As it stands right now, Over the Cap projects the Bucs as now having $45,521,102 dollars in cap space, which could help in their quest to get some players back for 2024. This doesn’t account for incoming incentives for Mayfield and a pay bump for center Robert Hainsey, but money can (and likely will) be freed up with post-June 1 cuts to Russell Gage and Ryan Jensen.

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