Report: Buccaneers use franchise tag on Barrett

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed their franchise tag on pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Barrett signed a one-year, $4-million contract with the Bucs in 2019 and turned it into a career year with 19.5 sacks.

By using their franchise tag, Tampa Bay will keep Barrett for another season at a projected salary of $15.8 million, according to Spotrac.

Barrett and starting quarterback Jameis Winston were the Buccaneers' two biggest pending free agents. The expectation is that Winston will enter the legal tampering period at noon Monday ahead of free agency, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians had said during the scouting combine that the team would prioritize retaining many of its defensive starters, stating, "I don't care who's my quarterback. We've gotta have a defense."

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