Shaq “50-50” On Signing Tag
June 24th, 2020
Undecided.
In an appearance on “Total Access” this evening on NFL Network, NFL sack king and Bucs outside linebacker Shaq Barrett said he’s not sure if he will sign his franchise tag contract as a deadline nears.
The deadline for unsigned tagged players to sign multiyear contracts with their teams is July 15.
“It’s still up in the air right now, about 50-50,” Barrett said when asked by fetching Colleen Wolfe about his unsigned status. “We’ll find out a little more information on Friday.”
Now Shaq didn’t detail what Friday means. Does that mean he and his agent, oily Drew Rosenhaus, will have a brainstorming session? Does this mean Rosenhaus is scheduled to meet with Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht? Or could this mean the Bucs are about to announce a long-term deal for Shaq on Friday?
Shaq did not elaborate. The NFL world does have a habit of what is known in media circles as a “news dump” on Friday afternoons, if it announces less than flattering news.
Really, the only thing lost if Shaq doesn’t sign by July 15 is the chance to negotiate a long-term deal beyond the 2020 season. This could also be a ploy for Shaq to blow off training camp — salary paychecks don’t start until the regular season begins.
Per OverTheCap.com, if Shaq signs his franchise tag, he is due $15.8 million for 2020.
That is, unless Shaq wants to sit out the season which makes no financial sense. Where would he get that year back (and the cash thrown out the window)?
The NFL announced today training camps begin July 28.
Now the Bucs could pull the tag from Shaq, but really the only reason to do that is if the team has a trade worked out. To trade Shaq, he would first have to sign. Teams cannot trade unsigned players.
To help put Bucs fans’ minds at ease, Shaq told Wolfe that his goal each year is to improve statistically but getting 20 or more sacks will be very difficult after 19.5 sacks last season, and he added his main goal is to help get the Bucs to the playoffs.
It would be very hard for Shaq to reach that last goal if he sits out.
June 24th, 2020 at 9:01 pm
If he chooses to withhold his services, the ship will set sail without him!!
Fire the damn cannons!!!
June 24th, 2020 at 9:35 pm
Perhaps Friday is the day he gets his physical to make it official? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
June 24th, 2020 at 9:40 pm
The Friday comment hints at a longer term deal. Hope that is so. He can play.
June 24th, 2020 at 9:58 pm
I hope Licht does not mess this one up.
June 24th, 2020 at 10:19 pm
Headline made me a bit concerned.
The details of what was actually said did not.
It’ll be fine.
June 25th, 2020 at 1:49 am
Love that old term “fetching”….didn’t know what it meant till a couple of years ago when a man in his 90s used the term to describe his wife when they first met. Colleen Wolfe sure deserves that adjective… and smart too!
June 25th, 2020 at 7:14 am
50-50 he signs the tag or cuts a longer term deal……practically zero chance he doesn’t take the $16 mil after making $4 last year.
June 25th, 2020 at 7:21 am
Hopefully he holds out for the huge contract!!!!!!! Why lower his value or worse gets the sickness at One Buc and never sees the big contract!!!!!!!!!!!!! Coaches will likely be gone next year Shaq!!!!!!!!! Might as well cash in now!!!!!!!!!!! PAY THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!
June 25th, 2020 at 8:30 am
He had a very good year but I would rather see what he does this year before signing him to a long term deal. Bucs luck would be signing him to a huge contract and he gets 5 sacks this year.
June 25th, 2020 at 8:44 am
He is not holiding out IMO and if he comes close to last years production he will be in line for a very lucrative deal.
June 25th, 2020 at 9:45 am
He would be wise to sign a long term deal ASAP. What happens when the salary cap gets reduced by 20% next season due to Covid?
June 25th, 2020 at 10:32 am
Clowney is still out there.
June 25th, 2020 at 11:09 am
Shaq: “50-50”
Reality: “99.9%”
Barret just doesn’t want it to look like he’s rolling over like a cute puppy. He knows the dealio, as does his agent. They just want to save a little ego face.
June 25th, 2020 at 11:48 am
Colleen Wolfe is cute as all hell. I can’t conceive of anyway that the front office can screw this up…