Now that it’s time to move onto the 2020 season, we can start to look ahead to the NFL draft and free agency.
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they have a number of big-name free agents that can hit the open market, meaning some important financial decisions are going to have to be made within the next two months. And, given that the Bucs finished 7-9 and had a strong finish down the stretch, this team feels on the cusp of making a return to the postseason next year.
Perhaps the biggest decision the team is going to have to make is how much to pay linebacker Shaquil Barrett, who led the league with 19.5 sacks this season and also broke the franchise’s single-season record of 16.5 set by Warren Sapp in 2000.
In his offseason power rankings, Dan Hanzus over at NFL.com ranks the Bucs at 19, and says getting Barrett under contract is the main priority.
“Let’s not talk about Jameis Winston here. Yes, the future of the quarterback is the most high-profile decision facing Tampa Bay, but it’s not the only big free-agent situation. Cut to: Outside linebacker Shaq Barrett, who signed a one-year contract with the Bucs last spring and proceeded to deliver the best ‘prove-it’ performance since Joe Flacco’s Super Bowl run with the Ravens. Barrett’s monster season — in which he broke the single-season franchise sack record with 19.5 — is going to lead to a massive payday, whether it’s from the Bucs or another team in need of a dominant pass rusher (that’s everyone). Bruce Arians said Barrett, 27, ‘ain’t going anywhere’ … but now the Bucs and GM Jason Licht have to close the deal.”
There’s no question Barrett should be the team’s top offseason priority. The Bucs know what they have in Barrett. With Winston, they are still scratching their heads.
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