TAMPA, Fla. — On Tuesday at the NFL Combine, the Buccaneers general manager explained one of the toughest moves he has had to make during his 10-year tenure with the club.
"[I] did not want to make that call," Jason Licht said to media members in Indianapolis.
The team told Shaquil Barrett they are releasing him, creating nearly $5 million in salary cap relief. While a hard call to make, it was an expected move considering Barrett's dip in production these past two seasons tally a total of 7.5 sacks in 24 regular season games.
Barrett spoke about the possibility of getting cut after the loss to Detroit in the playoffs.
"I've been around for a minute and I know with my contract ($15.04 million option bonus due next month) and my production and got some promising young guys, all that can play a factor," Barrett said on Jan. 22. "I understand it's a business."
There is still a chance Barrett could return to the team, but for now, Barrett will count $9.3 million against the salary cap in 2024 and $17.4 million in 2025.
Barrett was certainly one of the best free agent acquisitions by Jason Licht during his time with the Bucs. His 19.5 sacks in 2019 remains a single-season record for Tampa Bay. He also ranks No. 4 all-time in team sacks with 45. He played a pivotal role in bringing a second Super Bowl championship to this city.
During the 2022 season, Barrett tore his achilles midway through the year. He returned to start the 2023 schedule, but still only recorded 4.5 sacks.
Barrett reiterated in January, no matter what happens, the Buccaneers will be like family for him, especially in the wake of tragedy last April where the Barrett family suffered the unimaginable loss of their two-year-old daughter, Arrayah, in a drowning accident at the family pool.