The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on 2019 NFL sack leader Shaquil Barrett on Monday.
The 27-year-old outside linebacker set a franchise record with 19.5 sacks during his first season with the Bucs in 2019.
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said last month at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine that Barrett “wasn’t going anywhere,” adding the team would use the tag if a long-term deal couldn’t be reached.
Tagging Barrett means the team’s other high-profile free agent, quarterback Jameis Winston, will be on the market.
Barrett joined Tampa Bay on a one-year, $4 million deal in March 2019 after five seasons with the Denver Broncos.
The tag value for a linebacker in 2020 is an estimated $16 million.
Barrett added 58 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 37 quarterback hits, one interception and six forced fumbles in 16 starts with the Buccaneers, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
The Buccaneers have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal worth Barrett, who would otherwise play on the one-year tender.
He had 14 sacks in 61 games (15 starts) with the Broncos after going undrafted out of Colorado State.
–Field Level Media
