Shaq Barrett A Salary Cap Casualty?
June 1st, 2023
He’s safe.
Today is June 1 when savvy teams begin discarding or picking up key players to help squeeze under the salary cap given the way contracts work in the NFL.
As a result, Cody Benjamin of CBS, likely just looking at salary figures, named players with hefty salaries who could be turned loose beginning today.
One is Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett, as Benjamin detailed in a piece for CBS.
Briefly one of the game’s most dominant edge rushers, Barrett is now 30 coming off an injury-shortened season and due a whopping $21.3M in 2023, just as Tampa Bay appears to be bracing for a down year post-Tom Brady. Few clubs are likely to absorb his contract via trade, but the Bucs could save $14.6M by sending him to the open market. A handful of contenders would surely sniff around at that point, considering the former All-Pro as a rotational pass rusher.
Well, it wasn’t just any injury. It was Achilles surgery. And despite regular readers who argue with Joe such an injury is grossly overblown, an Achilles injury to a 30-year old NFL player isn’t quite like dealing with an ingrown toenail. It’s damn serious.
As far as what the Bucs would save? Spotrac suggests the Bucs would take a massive cap hit of some $23 million if the Bucs waived Shaq.
From a football standpoint, if the Bucs are serious about contending for a division title, Shaq isn’t getting cut. Why? Who do you see on the roster that can get after quarterbacks? Joe Tryon-Shoyinka? Logan Hall? YaYa Diaby and his flame-broiled chicken? Please!
From both a football and a salary cap issue, Shaq is as good as on the opening day roster. And given the godawful tragedy that recently befell Shaq’s family, it would be beyond heartless for the Bucs to cut Shaq at this time.
Joe doesn’t think even Bill Belicheat would pull a stunt that cold.
June 1st, 2023 at 12:13 am
You apparently don’t know the Evil Imperial Emperor as well as you think you do.
Plus, Billy wouldn’t have given him the big contract to begin with.
June 1st, 2023 at 12:27 am
I can safely disregard anything this writer from CBS has to say.
We need a pass rush and what would we be trying to save money for? The time to save money was in March. I swear to god these people don’t even watch the sport they’re paid to cover
June 1st, 2023 at 12:32 am
I am SO torn on the Shaq deal! With Diaby and Dennis I am starting to wonder considering where we are in the “non rebuilding ” process
June 1st, 2023 at 1:43 am
You’re wrong Joe. A post June1 cut for Shaq is a 14 million savings, which is the space they need to sign draft picks and have in-season maneuvering space. I’d hate to see them do it, with the injury recovery and the death of his child. It would seem a bit harsh. But it’s one of only a few moves they can make to create space. The others are trade Devin White or extend Mike Evans. One of those 3 things has to happen to create room.
June 1st, 2023 at 2:25 am
No one comes back 100% from an achilles injury. Even at 21 an injury such as that could be career threatening. I hope he’s close to what we had before but I’m not betting on it.
June 1st, 2023 at 3:36 am
It’s going to be a Long Season of frustration,it all comes back to the HEAD coach Todd NoBowels. He is NOT HC,defense coordinator maybe.To conservative. The defense was on the field way to much. Play calling sucks,go back to Cleveland game,his ridiculous comments postgame “I didn’t want to take a chance on a turnover,wanted to win it in OT. As for Shaq,gave it his all,unfortunately it’s business. Hate see him go,can save some cash and give Todd NoBowels an extension. Joke
June 1st, 2023 at 4:25 am
Been saying this…
23 million is alot money; no team is strapped for cash more than us right now. And as Jack Burton just said, nobody comes back 100% from an achilles injury. Much less a 30 year old Pass-Rusher; it was great while it lasted, but all good things will eventually come to an end…
June 1st, 2023 at 4:41 am
Mike Evans Extension?
Signing an NFL veteran to a contract extension after June 1st can have certain salary cap implications for the team. The significance lies in how the salary cap is structured in the NFL and the rules surrounding June 1st designations.
If a player is signed to an extension after June 1st, the team can split the cap hit over two years. The prorated bonus amount for the remaining years of the original contract is divided evenly between the current year and the following year’s salary cap. This allows the team to spread out the cap hit and potentially create more cap flexibility in the current and subsequent seasons.
June 1st, 2023 at 4:46 am
Depending how the deal is structured a potential Mike Evans extension could save the Bucs approximately 10M+ for the upcoming season.
June 1st, 2023 at 4:56 am
You could compromise here.
June 1st, 2023 at 5:16 am
Its a cold world Joe.
June 1st, 2023 at 5:56 am
Kind of a waste trying to comment on your articles Joe when my comments just disappear into Never-Never-Land when I hit ‘Submit’. No ‘Awaiting Moderation’ or anything; they just vanish. Happening far too often. Makes one wonder if it’s intentional or just a quirk in the algorithm.
June 1st, 2023 at 6:11 am
You lost me Joe. In one sentence you say cutting Shaq saves 14 million. The next you say we’d take a 23 million dollar cap hit. Which is it?
June 1st, 2023 at 7:21 am
That’s a hard Injury to come back from
We are goi g to have to rely on licths drafting
JTS
Logan halll
June 1st, 2023 at 7:23 am
Wow – I didn’t realize we had so many orthopedic surgeons as writers and commenters here at JBF who assume ability to say exactly what Shaq Barrett will be capable of this season.
I’m just a fan, but I do know that non-orthopedic surgeons should not be issuing medical opinions. From what I have read online, provided a proper post surgical rehabilitation and strength regimen are followed, most people fully recover from achilles tendon ruptures, while a minor proportion, especially those who do not handle post surgical guidelines, may not. With ability to perform normal physical activities within half a year, and full recovery for the athletically inclined within a year of surgery.
I’m not an expert, but most of what is available publicly says just what I wrote above.
I think it is probably quite safe to assume that Shaq and the Bucs medical staff are ensuring that his post-surgical recovery process is well managed.
But in any event, it is dumb to speculate and issue determinative statements when the writer doesn’t know what the heck he is talking about.
June 1st, 2023 at 7:31 am
So it 14 million saved or 23 million added if cut big difference
June 1st, 2023 at 8:09 am
Bill Belicheat heart is so cold it would be reject in a heart transplant recipient.
June 1st, 2023 at 9:00 am
There’s a reason they play the games, Joe. Did you really see 19.5 sacks coming when the Bucs signed Shaq to a 1-year deal? You never know until they play.
That being said, the idea that he gets cut this year is pretty silly. The team will eat his salary this year and hope he can do something, anything. Next year is when he’s more likely to be a cap casualty.
June 1st, 2023 at 9:08 am
So if memory serves me in 2008 Matt Bryant’ infant baby dies during the season and what do the Bucs do? At the end of the season they cut him. One of the coldest things ever. Thus, the kicker curse in Tampa was born. Of course Bryant went on to have an amazing career in Atlanta. I don’t think Shaq’s child dying would stop the Bucs from cutting him. They have done it before.
June 1st, 2023 at 9:30 am
True, but different circumstances.
Joe doesn’t think Bowles has the job security to take that sort of gamble, hoping someone on the roster who hasn’t shown anything will magically get a bunch of sacks.
When the Bucs signed Shaq, remember he was a veteran who couldn’t get on the field a lot due to a logjam at his position with the Broncos. There is no logjam for JTS or Logan Hall.
Shaq was also signed in part because Bowles recommended signing him. It was a cheap gamble and Arians/Bowles were in their first year with the Bucs.
If the Bucs have a losing season as a result of an underwhelming defense that can’t get after the quarterback and Shaq is doing anything with another team, that might be curtains for Bowles.
June 1st, 2023 at 9:30 am
It really depends on where Shaq Barrett is with his rehab and how he is feeling mentally and emotionally after losing his child to tragedy…
None of us knows what our GM Jason Licht knows.
If Shaq is ahead of schedule with his rehab and is able to deal with his family tragedy then he will probably return. But there is a chance that Shaq might not want to play or will not be physically ready and able to play.
I would be OK with them releasing Barrett because I trust our GM to do what’s best for the team based on the inside information he has.
June 1st, 2023 at 9:45 am
There will probably not be a single dominant edge rusher on the team this year, although I hope someone emerges. Licht/Bowles dedicated at least 3 draft picks to sack production (not counting Dennis). Given the hot seat at HC, they will all get thrown into the rotation along with JTS, Hall, Vea, Gaines, Gill, Nelson, etc. If that group averages 5 sacks each, that’s 45 sacks. And that counts nothing from ILBs and DBs, which will surely get a few more.
June 1st, 2023 at 9:46 am
Forgot to throw in 5 from Shaq! Now it’s up to 50. Sounds ok to me.
June 1st, 2023 at 9:50 am
“Defense Rules Says:
June 1st, 2023 at 5:56 am
Kind of a waste trying to comment on your articles Joe when my comments just disappear into Never-Never-Land when I hit ‘Submit’. No ‘Awaiting Moderation’ or anything; they just vanish. Happening far too often. Makes one wonder if it’s intentional or just a quirk in the algorithm.”
This has been happening to me also in the last month or so. Quite frustrating!!!
June 1st, 2023 at 10:04 am
Dude deserves another chance and I personally don’t see the Achilles being the issue it was even a decade ago. With losing his kid, one would think him just being back in a team setting is the best for him. I’ve never questioned his heart and I won’t start now. Bring him back to help teach and to add a few sacks here and there. He can get close to 10 if he’s 85-90% of what he used to be.
June 1st, 2023 at 10:21 am
Save 14 or get whacked by 23.
I don’t see the benefit of cutting Barrett.
June 1st, 2023 at 10:24 am
The NFLPA really needs to demand guaranteed contracts. Only in the NFL is a contract not really a contract.
June 1st, 2023 at 11:31 am
I am sure JTS and all the depth we have drafted will provide an excellent pass rush……….
June 1st, 2023 at 11:36 am
How come the article says they would save 14.6 million and you claim they would take a 23 million hit?
June 1st, 2023 at 11:58 am
WHY YOU CUT SHAQ …
1. Financial “clean up” year. Go all in and be in the best position for 2024
2. Development year. Get the young guys more PT
3. Older and injured. Doubt he’s a 10 sack guy ever again.
June 1st, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Joe, don’t take my word for it. Talk to a surgeon. Medical advances are doing crazy things. Achilles injuries for a 30 year old are not longer a big thing. Brent Grimes became a Buc AFTER tearing his Achilles. Terrell Suggs… early 30’s, missed six months and went back to dominating. Lots of guy have recovered fully and quickly. I just happened to be one of them and I was in my 40’s.
June 1st, 2023 at 12:54 pm
@ David
I’m trying to figure it out myself… Here is my guess.
Shaq’s base salary is $14.25M and is not guaranteed. He has a $6.65M prorated signing bonus payment due.
We still owe him $16.2M of signing bonus after the $6.65M payment is made. However – the Bucs could push that salary cap hit into the 2024 season and would become dead cap space money…
Therefore – the Bucs would save @ $14.25M in 2023 but would incur a $16.2M hit in 2024.
June 1st, 2023 at 2:03 pm
I AGREE WITH YOU JOE ! THAT WOULD BE A HEARTLESS THING TO DO AFTER SHAQ HAS HELPED BRING US SO MUCH SUCCESS SINCE HE’S BEEN A BUCCANEER…HE DESERVES A CHANCE TO COME BACK &GOD-WILLING RETURN TO THE PLAYER HE WAS BEFORE THE INJURY..IF HE CAN NO LONGER PRODUCE, THAT’S ANOTHER QUESTION ENTIRELY..( THIS WOULD MOST LIKELY END UP A NEXT YEAR’S CAP CASUALTY ) OR GOD FORBID AN ENDING TO A GREAT CAREER..GOOD LUCK SHAQ ! WE ARE ALL ROOTING FOR YOUR ASTOUNDING COMEBACK ! ! !
June 1st, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Shaq led the team in pressures, even after he was injured. When the team needed someone to step up…crickets! We need to retain Shaq at this point.
June 1st, 2023 at 8:33 pm
Joe Says:
June 1st, 2023 at 9:23 am
In this context, the word you’re looking for is “cite”, not “site”… Are you sure you used to be an actual journalist?
June 1st, 2023 at 9:19 pm
“Defense Rules Says:
June 1st, 2023 at 5:56 am
Kind of a waste trying to comment on your articles Joe when my comments just disappear into Never-Never-Land when I hit ‘Submit’. No ‘Awaiting Moderation’ or anything; they just vanish. Happening far too often. Makes one wonder if it’s intentional or just a quirk in the algorithm.”
This has been happening to me as well. About 5 comments did that yesterday.
June 1st, 2023 at 9:23 pm
Considering we are rebuilding, it might be wise to release or trade him.
The thing we have to ask is will he carry the defense over the next couple years?
Or…rework his cap hit to free up money.
But I think a Mike Evans getting an extension is the way to go.