The Cincinnati Bengals hit on a few outside free agents over the first couple of days of free agency.
Pass rusher Shaquil Barrett won’t be one of them, though. It turns out the former Denver Broncos defender will take his talents to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers instead of Cincinnati.
Reports broke after free agency started that Barrett would take a visit with the Bengals. He was one of several, with the Bengals signing guard John Miller on Friday.
Barrett explained his decision to ESPN’s Josina Anderson via text: “3-4 defense, 1 year deal to compete for a starting job & they wanted me.”
It’s an unfortunate miss for the Bengals in large part because he’s only costing the Buccaneers one year and $5 million. But it also reinforces the idea the Bengals will be looking for pass-rushing help either in free agency or the draft.
