Bucs, linebacker Shaquil Barrett agree to one-year, $4-million deal

TAMPA — The Bucs continued to take advantage of some bargains in free agency by agreeing to terms with Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett on a one-year, $4-million contract.

Barrett, who had 14 career sacks in four seasons with Denver, will fit well into the 3-4 scheme of new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles as an edge rusher. He also is an excellent special teams player.

"I knew it was coming, but I didn’t want it to come,'' Barrett told 9News.com in Denver. "I wanted to be in Denver. That’s my home. That’s my family’s home. It just didn’t work out football-wise.''

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Barrett signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State in 2014.

In 2015, he posted 41 tackles (28 solo), 5.5 sacks, four passes defensed, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and nine special-teams tackles.

He was part of the Super Bowl 50 team that defeated Carolina 24-10.

Last season, Barrett had 28 tackles, three sacks and a pass defensed.

Barrett will get a chance to compete for a starting job with Noah Spence at outside linebacker and could even be a situational pass rusher. With incentives, Barrett could earn as much as $5-million.