Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett (58) Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers HC comments on release of two-time Pro Bowler

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/28/24

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are planning to release outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett in a move that will have significant financial ramifications.

Head coach Todd Bowles commented on the upcoming move during an appearance on "Good Morning Football" on Tuesday.

Bucs are releasing OLB Shaq Barrett, as expected. Set the team sack record in 2019, key part of Super Bowl team in 2020. It’ll be a post-June 1 cut, helping spread $26.7 million in dead money between 2024 and 2025.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 27, 2024

The #Bucs are expected to release Shaquil Barrett as a Post-June 1 cut.

• Dead money in 2024: $9.2M
• Dead money in 2025: $17.4M
• Cap savings after 6/1: $4.9M https://t.co/pn5J74w9Sq
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 27, 2024

.@Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles on @gmfb @nflnetwork on the reported release of LB Shaq Barrett: "Shaq has been great for us over the last 5 years, but these tough decisions have to be made. Who knows we'll see what happens down the line."
— Will Selva (@WillSelvaTV) February 27, 2024

Barrett signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2014, spent the first four seasons of his career in the Mile High City, and helped them capture Super Bowl 50 in 2016.

Barrett signed a one-year deal with the Bucs in March 2019 and had his best season, racking up career highs in quarterback hits (37), tackles for loss (19), sacks (league-best 19.5) and forced fumbles (six) to earn his first Pro Bowl honor and finish fourth in the AP Defensive Player of the Year voting.

He had another big year in 2020, helping lead Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl title, and signed a four-year contract extension in March 2021. Barrett made his second Pro Bowl during the 2021 campaign but went down with a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 8 of the 2022 season.

The 31-year-old and his family suffered a tragic loss last spring when Barrett's two-year-old daughter, Arrayah, drowned in the family's pool.

The Colorado State product finished the 2023 campaign ranked second on the team in forced fumbles (three) and tied for second in quarterback hits (nine).

More must-reads: