The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will release outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports via Jenna Laine of ESPN.  This according to sources.  The move provides nearly $5 million in salary cap relief.

Barrett, who has a $15.04 million option bonus due next month, said he knew there was a strong possibility that he could be cut due to his hefty cap charge. The nine-year veteran said last month that he wants to remain with the Bucs but acknowledged that he understands "it's a business."

The Bucs will designate Barrett as a post-June 1 cut, meaning the team can split his $26.67 million dead cap charges over 2024 and 2025 instead of incurring them all at once. Barrett will count $9.27 million against the cap in 2024 and $17.47 million in 2025.

Barrett, 31, was a two-time Pro Bowler during his five seasons with the Bucs and a key contributor on Tampa Bay's championship-winning defense in 2020, recording three sacks against the Packers in the NFC Championship Game and another sack against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

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