Plays Bucs GM Jason Licht.

Willie McGinest is a former standout edge rusher. So naturally, you would expect him to say the Bucs just gotta get Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett back on the roster.

McGinest is correct. Shaq is the most important defensive player the Bucs have. And McGinest sees Shaq’s worth, too.

So in a recent episode of “Total Access,” seen weeknights on NFL Network, McGinest decided to pretend he’s Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht. McGinest said Licht was “smart” to franchise tag Chris Godwin and not Shaq.

Why?

“Shaq Barrett has expressed he would like to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Two things you want to do as a player. You want to win that Super Bowl and you want that big payday,” McGinest said.

“He has already won that Super Bowl (actually two) so, you mention his success the past two years, he is going to demand that payday. So by tagging Godwin, now you have him out of the way. And you have other free agents you probably want to sign.

“Brady probably has a two-year run, OK? So you [can] have Gronk on a one-year, we can probably figure that out [later]. You have [Playoff Lenny] Fournette on a one-year, we can figure that out as well. [Antonio Brown] AB? He’s not going to get another huge payday so let’s figure that out.

“You extended Lavonte David two years, you got him back. So the only missing piece you have to give a long-term deal to is Shaq Barrett who is still a young player. One of the most productive in the last couple of years. He goes well with that defense. He wants to be there.

“He does want the bag [of Team Glazer loot], of course, so we have to make sure that happens. And he loves playing in Todd Bowles’ system. So when you put all of those and factor all those things together, I think [the Bucs] will do him right and get him a long-term deal. Because this team, these players think they can go on and win more Super Bowls if they keep all the pieces intact.”

What McGinest explains makes sense other than the fact the Bucs may not have the cash now. Licht could have to cut someone or rework more deals to get enough cash to sign Shaq.

Joe isn’t as confident Fournette is returning. Brown? He may return as he’s Brady’s pet.

Joe does not like McGinest’s logic that Shaq likes and produces with Bowles’ defense. Why? Bowles is likely gone in 2022, unless the Bucs work out some deal to keep him as a coach-in-waiting for when Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians retires, unless Arians actually does retire and the Bucs hire Bowles outright.

And Shaq’s agent, oily Drew Rosenhaus, knows Bowles’ status. So trying to connect Shaq staying because of Bowles is a faulty argument in Joe’s eyes.