Shaq Barrett thinks that staying in Tampa Bay is “best for his career”

It’s no secret the Bucs have some major decisions to make when it comes to shaping their roster for the 2020 season. One of those decisions is what to do with the NFL’s reigning sack leader, Shaquil Barrett.

I’ve made my stance clear on the issue, but the Bucs haven’t really said much about what they plan to do with him. Barrett, on the other hand, has talked a bit about how he’d like to remain a Buccaneer.

Barrett recently spoke with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and there were plenty of things to like if your a Bucs fan.

“If [other teams] offer me more than Tampa, I’m going to look at the places, if they offer me more than Tampa, I’m going to look at what their taxes is compared to Tampa’s. Because I ain’t going to live in L.A. and get taxed crazy,” Shaq said.

“I’m not going to take drastically less but I am open to doing what I think is best for my career, and I think that would be staying in Tampa.”

Sorry, Los Angeles. Y’all ain’t gettin’ our boy.

But it’s the last line that should make fans jump through their roof. Even if he largely meant it’s best financially for him to stay in Tampa Bay, that still gives the Bucs a head start on other teams.

Plus, there’s been other instances in which Barrett has expressed his desire to stay in Tampa Bay, and they’re not just financial reasons. Some involve his family, some involve his rapport with the coaching staff/players/team, and some just simply involve his hatred of moving.

All of this is great, but the Bucs don’t need to screw this up. Sign the kid. Sign him to a long-term deal. He’s worth the roll of the dice.

h/t to JoeBucsFan.com