Shaq Is Back: Bucs, Barrett Agree On Four-Year, $72 Million Contract

At the Buccaneers championship boat parade, Bruce Arians declared they were bringing everyone back. Now, many chalked that up to being in the moment and, perhaps, having a few too many beers on a hot Florida day. A month later, that statement doesn’t sound that absurd.

On the first day of the “legal tampering” period prior to the start of free agency, the Bucs and linebacker Shaq Barrett have agreed to a new four-year, $72 million deal according to Josina Anderson. $36 million of that is fully guaranteed.

Text from #Bucs LB Shaq Barrett just now: “I am going back to Tampa.” #Donedecision.

— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 15, 2021

Barrett just finished his second season with the Bucs after his first five were spent with the Broncos. In his first season, Barrett racked up 19.5 sacks and was rewarded with the franchise tag. In 2020, he had just eight in the regular season but added four more during Tampa’s Super Bowl run. Barrett had three sacks of Aaron Rodgers in the NFC Championship Game and one of Mahomes, including four QB hits, in the Super Bowl.

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The Barrett signing comes on the heels of several moves made by the team in the last few days. First, they slapped Chris Godwin with the franchise tag, re-signed lifelong Buc Lavonte David, and signed Tom Brady to an extension. At the onset of the offseason, it seemed far-fetched for the Buccaneers to retain their top three free agents but here we are with all three set to return in 2021. Still left unsigned are Rob Gronkowski, Ndamukong Suh, Ryan Succop, Antonio Brown, and Leonard Fournette.