The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed former Denver Broncos outside linebacker Shaq Barrett to a one-year, $5 million contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It’s somewhat surprising that Barrett signed a (relatively cheap) prove-it deal.
The Broncos may have even been willing to give Barrett $5 million on a one-year deal but the edge defender made it clear this offseason that he wanted to go to a team where he could start. Barrett had no chance of starting over Von Miller and Bradley Chubb in Denver.
So the 26-year-old pass rusher will look to prove in Tampa Bay that he deserves to start in the NFL. If he puts up good numbers with the Bucs, Barrett can look for a bigger deal in free agency in 2020 or perhaps get a long-term extension in Tampa Bay.
Since joining the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State in 2014, Barrett has recorded 151 tackles and 14.0 sacks. He served as a rotational pass rusher in Denver but he will likely compete for a starting job with the Buccaneers.
