Todd Bowles Reflects On Shaq Barrett’s Impending Release
February 27th, 2024
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
It was Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht who called and broke the news to Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett that the team will release him when the new league year hits on March 13.
Licht admitted it was not the way he hoped the end of Shaq would unfold.
Todd Bowles admitted it was challenging. Even though there is a coach-player median, Bowles said coaches develop relationships with many players when they’ve been together for a few seasons.
“It’s tough,” Bowles said. “It’s tough because you have the personal side when you get to know these guys for five years and the relationship you build with them that will never end.
“Me and Shaq have a relationship as I do with most of the guys that extends far beyond football.”
But business is business and the NFL is a football business. As former Bucs coach Dirk Koetter used to say, the NFL is a “production league.” Produce or go home.
Shaq’s production this past year was nearing Cam Jordan depths and the Bucs, fighting to retain their key free agents and perhaps sign others, need to find extra Team Glazer loot under the couch pillows.
So the lack of production from Shaq and his hefty salary doomed him. Had it not been for the salary, Shaq might still be on the roster (both officially and unofficially).
February 27th, 2024 at 5:47 pm
Coaches and players can have strong bonds. DW talks about a father/son relationship with Todd Bowles…that’s the emotional side of the NFL business. I’m sure it can apply to other sports, but they’re never talked up like football.
February 27th, 2024 at 6:39 pm
Thank you Shaq for all you have done. But time to move on and bring in an edge rusher to play opposite of Diaby.
February 27th, 2024 at 6:48 pm
We need to cut all our edge rushers and use the extra money to pay for the best edge rushers available. Thank you for our Super Bowl victory Shaq Barrett
February 27th, 2024 at 6:52 pm
Thank you Shaq and best of wishes.
The bucs did you no favor no bringing suh back and switching your sides.
I think the bucs should walk away from baker I think personally he play ok against bad teams and bad vs good teams.
Maybe with a run game and another tight end he can do more buttttt….
Does anyone thing superbowl chance with him?
I say use the money for all our key free agents david Evans Winfield kicker and so on..
I think Russell Wilson is the player for us..hes a super bowl qb..
Knows the offense and has all the abilities.
Hes another Brady esq type star player.
He will sign for close to vet minimum is the rumors which means lile 8 to 10 million and would love it here.
Keeping Mike evans is the most important thing this franchise can do..him and David need to be lifetime bucs and retire her anything less is a disrespect to the fans
February 27th, 2024 at 7:00 pm
I agree with Buc King 100% about lack of sun being Shaq’s demise- even before the injury.
I never thought of Russell Wilson but I’d be open to it- he’s just as good as Mayfield
February 27th, 2024 at 7:00 pm
*lack of Suh
February 27th, 2024 at 7:03 pm
Shaq should always be remembered for putting down Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahommes on our Super Bowl drive. He was incredible in that Super Bowl run and I hope that he makes a comeback from his Achilles injury and family tragedy.
February 27th, 2024 at 7:52 pm
Just curious how much cash did we save by releasing Barrett ?
February 27th, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Question…after the new league year starts, could they bring him back at a lower cost?
February 27th, 2024 at 8:00 pm
1#bucsfan Says:
February 27th, 2024 at 7:52 pm
Just curious how much cash did we save by releasing Barrett ?”
I think around $15m
February 27th, 2024 at 8:04 pm
CleanHouse Says
“I never thought of Russell Wilson but I’d be open to it- he’s just as good as Mayfield”
This is what I have been suggesting since last week. I think Wilson would thrive in Tampa…and his ceiling is much higher than Mayfields.
Work has leaked that he is willing to take league minimum just to prove himself. He’s driven to succeed, and at one time, he was considered elite and a future hall of famer.
Mayfield is nowhere close to that.
If I were Licht, I would try to be the first one to call him. Offer him a little more than minimum…try to get him on a 2 year deal…like for $25m/year. He’ll take it.
February 27th, 2024 at 8:05 pm
Mayfield, at best, is a suitable stepping stone.
February 27th, 2024 at 8:11 pm
WE NEED TO SIGN JORDAN WHITEHEAD BACK
February 27th, 2024 at 8:19 pm
NFL is a business.
Shaq Barrett’s production did not match his compensation.
Case closed.
February 27th, 2024 at 8:21 pm
I understand the NFL is a business, but this is truly sad.
Thank you Shaq, for all you’ve done for the team, and for Bucs fans, during your time here.
You played a pivotal role in helping us win a Super Bowl and I’m confident millions of Bucs fans join me in saying thank you.
Wishing you all the best,
Vanessa Anne
February 27th, 2024 at 8:22 pm
Bucs saved $4.9M against the cap in 2024 by cutting Shaq.
Still owe $26M against the cap in 2025 for Shaq’s contract because they used him like a cap space ATM – to the tune of $25M the previous 2 years…
I figured for the $4.9M difference, they would keep Shaq for this year. I guess not….
That amount is close to what they will be paying McLaughlin so I guess we could look at it that way. They released an unproductive Shaq in order to keep the most accurate kicker the Bucs have ever signed. And he’s got a big leg to boot.
OK – that works. I can live with that….
February 27th, 2024 at 8:49 pm
I love the story of Shaq Barrett with the Bucs. He gets a small prove-it deal that he turns into a dominant force that nobody in the league took a chance on but the Bucs! Watching him chase Mahomes all over the field is a memory I will never forget. I hope he gets another chance for big money (just not in the NFC South please…. Like I fully expect Devin White to be in New Orleans next year).
February 27th, 2024 at 8:55 pm
Regarding Russell Wilson, his ceiling was reached years ago. He can’t move like he used to. And the last few years in Denver has shown that he can’t sling it like he used to either. Someone above said he knows the offense. What on earth are you talking about? We have a first time OC, no one knows the offense yet. Though Baker has played in a similar one. Wilson is clearly still a competent QB. But he would be more of a stop gap than Baker. The only thing I like about that idea is if Baker prices himself out of the equation.
February 27th, 2024 at 9:07 pm
Thank you Shaq. You were a class especially under some difficult circumstances. You were an integral part in helping the Bucs get their second Super Bowl and so you will always have a place here in our hearts. Good luck 🤞 n your next journey!
February 27th, 2024 at 10:07 pm
Should’ve kept Shaq, released Russell Gage, resigned Antoine, David, Mike, Wirfs, and then Chase, and with whatever money you had left, parlay with Baker for another yr or 2.