Add Bucs LB Shaquil Barrett to list of Cowboys' options in free agency
The Cowboys are likely in the market to do some linebacker shopping in free agency. And a new name just became available.
Shaquil Barrett is being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as per a Tuesday morning report from NFL insider Adam Schefter. The 10-year veteran has been with the Bucs for the past five seasons, tallying 19.5 sacks as recently as 2019 and winning a Super Bowl ring in 2020. He’s made two Pro Bowls and was also on the Broncos’ championship team of 2015.
But with a $15.04 million option bonus due in March, the team is looking to create some cap space in what is shaping up to be an offseason of potentially high turnover in Tampa.
Cowboys fans will remember that it was Barrett who delivered two hits on Dak Prescott in the same drive of the 2022 season opener, leaving the Dallas quarterback with a fractured thumb, causing him to miss five games.
Dak's hand got hit several times on this drive, he's having it looked at now w/Cooper Rush in the game #TBvsDAL #CowboysNation #DallasCowboys #NFL pic.twitter.com/Z1IHqZH53X
—
Steven Van Over (@StevenVanOver) September 12, 2022
The 31-year-old Barrett might now be seen as someone who would bring much-needed experience to the middle level of Dallas’s defense, with Leighton Vander Esch’s football future up in the air. Damone Clark and Buddy Johnson are the only other true linebackers on the current roster; DeMarvion Overshown is a promising prospect but has yet to play a down in the pros as he comes off an injury that pre-empted his rookie campaign.
The Cowboys are due for changes in the LB room, and could stand to invest in a veteran presence, whether it’s Barrett or someone else with some skins on the wall.
At 6-foot-2, Barrett is two inches shorter than Vander Esch but of similar weight, at 250 pounds. He’s also three years older and may have injury concerns of his own. He suffered an Achilles tear during the 2022 schedule and was never quite the same last season.
The Cowboys would have myriad choices should they elect to bring in a veteran linebacker for new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. Carolina’s Frankie Luvu, Seattle’s Jordyn Brooks and Bobby Wagner, Tennessee’s Azeez-Al-Shaair, Denver’s Josey Jewell, and Kansas City’s Willie Gay are among those who could be available.
Tampa Bay linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David are also headed for free agency, though David has claimed he’ll retire if he does not return to the Bucs.
Post a Comment