Shaquil Barrett
FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, left, address the audience with linebackers Lavonte David, center, and Devin White during a celebration of their Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa, Fla., in this Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, file photo. When Jason Licht declared he was going to do everything he could to keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers together, no one envisioned the process going as smoothly as it has for the Super Bowl champions. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Bucs GM says winning culture helped keep SB roster together

By Fred Goodall Apr. 02, 2021 06:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2021, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette sprints to the end zone to score on a 27-yard touchdown run during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL football Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers moved closer to a goal of retaining all 22 starters from their Super Bowl victory, agreeing to a one-year, $3.25 million contract to bring free agent running back Fournette back for next season. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
AP source: Fournette agrees to 1-year deal to stay with Bucs

By Fred Goodall Mar. 26, 2021 06:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2020, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Ndamukong Suh (93) and inside linebacker Lavonte David (54) line up against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla. Suh has agreed to a one-year contract worth $9 million to remain with the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
AP source: Suh to remain with Bucs on 1-year, $9M deal

By Fred Goodall Mar. 24, 2021 06:28 PM EDT

FILE - New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick catches a packet of papers after he tossed them in the air during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, in this Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, file photo. Belichick never was one to spent wildly in free agency. Watching Tom Brady win another Super Bowl in another city sure changed that. The New England Patriots doled out $175 million in guarantees in the first 48 hours of free agency following a 7-9 stumble in 2020 that officially ended their two-decade dominance of the AFC. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Patriots, Bucs among those making biggest waves so far

By Arnie Stapleton Mar. 22, 2021 04:14 PM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) carries the ball in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (58) during the NFL Super Bowl LV football game on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Shaq Barrett, Buccaneers finalize 4-year, $72 million deal

By Fred Goodall Mar. 17, 2021 05:46 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians holds the Vince Lombardi trophy following the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay won 31-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Free-agent pickups have made a difference for some champions

By Rob Maaddi Mar. 16, 2021 12:56 PM EDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jason Verrett (22) walks off the field following an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., in this Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, file photo. The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back cornerback Jason Verrett on a one-year deal. General manager John Lynch announced the deal on Monday, March 15, 2021, shortly after Verrett was allowed to begin talking to other teams about a potential deal. NFL Network reported the contract has a $5.5 million base value with the chance to make more. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
With Brady's largesse, Bucs keeping title gang together

By Barry Wilner Mar. 15, 2021 04:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2020, file photo, Chicago Bears defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit. A person familiar with the negotiations says the Jacksonville Jaguars and former Bears defensive lineman Robertson-Harris have agreed on a three-year, $24.4 million deal that includes $14 million guaranteed. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
Meyer, Jaguars fail to generate splash in NFL free agency

By Mark Long Mar. 15, 2021 04:39 PM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to throw a pass while in the grasp of Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett, right, during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Barrett, Gronkowski agree to deals to stay with Buccaneers

By Fred Goodall Mar. 15, 2021 02:28 PM EDT

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, in this Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, file photo. om Brady has agreed to a contract extension with the Buccaneers that provides the Super Bowl champions with much-needed salary cap relief and will help the seven-time NFL champion reach a goal of playing until he’s at least 45. Brady posted a picture of himself on Twitter, signing the extension Friday, March 12, 2021, with the message: “In pursuit of 8 ... LFG@ Buccaneers we’re keeping the band together.” (AP Photo/Brett Duke, File)
Nobody comes for free in NFL free agency that begins Monday

By Barry Wilner Mar. 13, 2021 01:20 PM EST

Super Bowl champion Bucs focused on keeping roster intact

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 05:01 PM EST
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (15-5) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Shaquil Barrett, TE Rob Gronkowski, WR Antonio Brown, RB Leonard Fournette, DT...

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, in this Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, file photo. om Brady has agreed to a contract extension with the Buccaneers that provides the Super Bowl champions with much-needed salary cap relief and will help the seven-time NFL champion reach a goal of playing until he’s at least 45. Brady posted a picture of himself on Twitter, signing the extension Friday, March 12, 2021, with the message: “In pursuit of 8 ... LFG@ Buccaneers we’re keeping the band together.” (AP Photo/Brett Duke, File)
Brady signs extension, frees salary cap space for Buccaneers

By Fred Goodall Mar. 12, 2021 02:39 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Washington Football Team offensive guard Brandon Scherff stands on the sideline prior to an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Football Team, in Landover, Md. On Monday, March 8, 2021, Washington announced they've placed the franchise tag on guard Brandon Scherff for a second consecutive year. Scherff is coming off his first All-Pro season. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Receivers Godwin, Robinson top franchise tag list

By Barry Wilner Mar. 09, 2021 04:46 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receivers Mike Evans, left, and Chris Godwin take part in a celebration of the team's Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, following a boat parade Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Super Bowl champ Bucs place franchise tag on WR Chris Godwin

By Fred Goodall Mar. 09, 2021 04:43 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady holds his daughter Vivian Lake while waving to fans during a celebration of their Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs with a boat parade, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Licht: Buccaneers open to giving Brady a contract extension

By Fred Goodall Feb. 24, 2021 05:22 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020 file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) makes a diving catch in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton (27) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla. Applying franchise and even transition tags to players can have major ramifications on a team's present and future. That was never more of a consideration than this year, with the salary cap decreasing by, for now, $18 million. That's the first time the cap has gone down, which is due to lost revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.(AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)
Playing tag is no kids' game for NFL teams

By Barry Wilner Feb. 23, 2021 05:12 PM EST

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson walks off the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Houston. Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, because they weren’t authorized to discuss the request publicly. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
NFL carousel will spin soon, and not just for quarterbacks

By Barry Wilner Feb. 10, 2021 12:10 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with head coach Bruce Arians following the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay won 31-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Bucs hope to keep core together to chase another Super Bowl

By Fred Goodall Feb. 08, 2021 12:39 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) sits on the field after an incomplete pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Devin White (45) looks on in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Buccaneers defense rises to occasion again in Super Bowl win

By Fred Goodall Feb. 08, 2021 12:13 AM EST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, foreground, watches from the bench during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Buccaneers batter Mahomes in 31-9 Super Bowl rout of Chiefs

By Dave Skretta Feb. 07, 2021 10:35 PM EST