TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed the franchise tag on NFL sack leader Shaquil Barrett, a move that also could mean Jameis Winston’s time as the team’s starting quarterback is coming to an end.
The announcement has been anticipated since coach Bruce Arians stated late last season that the 27-year-old outside linebacker “ain’t going anywhere” after setting a team record with 19½ sacks in 2019.
Barrett made $4 million on a one-year contract he signed with Tampa Bay in free agency last season.
A Colorado State alum, Barrett started his career with the Denver Broncos in 2014. He had 14 sacks in 61 games for Denver.
The franchise tag for a linebacker calls for a salary of just under $16 million this year.
