TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed former Denver Broncos outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett to a one-year deal, a source told ESPN. It is worth up to $5 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Bucs are transitioning to a 3-4 defense under Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles, giving Barrett an opportunity to challenge for playing time along with young players like Noah Spence and Carl Nassib.
He saw just 21 percent of defensive snaps in Denver last season after the emergence of fifth-overall draft pick Bradley Chubb. His 26 tackles were a career low, and his three sacks were the second-lowest season total of his career -- he had 1.5 sacks in 2016.
"I want to go somewhere I can start," a frustrated Barrett said after the Broncos' disappointing 6-10 season. "Or contribute more to a defense."
Barrett has been known a high-motor player and drew raves from his coaches for his no-nonsense approach, which mirrors Arians. He's also been very durable, having missed just three games in four seasons.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State, Barrett spent much of the 2014 season on the Broncos' practice squad. He became a regular in the Broncos' defense at the start of 2015, finishing with a career-best 5.5 sacks as he helped the Broncos to a Super Bowl.
Barrett, who played in 61 games with Denver with 15 starts, has consistently cited his path to the NFL, which included two years at Boys Town in Nebraska after he left Baltimore when he was 15, searching for more structure and discipline.
The Bucs also re-signed defensive tackle Rakeem Nuñez-Roches and cornerback De'Vante Harris to one-year deals.
ESPN's Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.
