The Indianapolis Colts’ defense took major strides in 2020, and that can largely be attributed to excellent offseason additions made by GM Chris Ballard, as he brought in defensive lineman DeForest Buckner via trade and cornerback Xavier Rhodes in free agency.
Both acquisitions proved to be home runs, and chances are Ballard will have to make a similar magnitude of signings this time around in order for the defense to replicate that dominance, as several key pieces are set to test the open market.
The laundry list includes edge rushing tandem Justin Houston and Denico Autry, who combined to register 15.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hits and 47 pressures this past season. While the Colts are reportedly interested in bringing Houston back, the same cannot be said for Autry at this stage.
Fortunately for Indy, however, the Buccaneers hit wideout Chris Godwin with the franchise tag ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline. Why is this good news for the Colts? Because it could mean that prolific pass rusher Shaq Barrett ends up hitting free agency.
If Shaq Barrett hits the open market, give him all the money Ballard. #Colts https://t.co/hxb6XZS7mI
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) March 9, 2021
Shaq Barrett could be a free agent target for the Colts following the Buccaneers’ latest roster move.
It’s worth noting that the Bucs tagging Godwin could mean they’ll enter extension negotiations with Barrett before long, but their cap situation and impossibly long list of free agents doesn’t guarantee that a deal will get done.
And as much as Barrett might want to return to Tampa Bay to help them defend their title, can he really pass up a golden opportunity to bank a life-changing contract? Let’s not forget he signed a one-year deal with the Bucs two years ago and was ultimately tagged for $15.8 million last offseason after he exploded with a league-leading 19.5 sacks and 37 QB hits in 2019.
A second consecutive franchise tag would cost Tampa close to $19 million, which would make Barrett about the fifth or sixth-highest paid player at his position and at this point it seems Tampa would have to backload any deal for Barrett to make it work.
Tagging Chris Godwin mean Shaq Barrett and Lavonte David are scheduled to be free agents, though Tampa has discussed deals with both players. https://t.co/Q3ZIOVZQtn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021
For context, the 28-year-old stud generated 57 tackles (11 for loss), eight sacks, 11 QB hits, 42 pressures (!), 24 hurries and two forced fumbles in 2020. Those numbers might pale in comparison to his 2019 stats, but anybody who watched the Bucs this year knows he impacted almost every snap, and his elite 75.8 pass rushing grade from Pro Football Focus proves that.
Bottom line? Barrett is one of the NFL’s most formidable pass rushers and he’s smack in the middle of his prime having turned 28 towards the end of last season. The Pro Bowl talent deserves to be paid like such and the Colts (unlike the Bucs) wouldn’t have to conduct financial gymnastics to make a deal happen.
Colts getting salary cap boost ahead of free agency thanks to carry over
The Indianapolis Colts are getting a salary cap boost of over $8 million ahead of free agency after their carry over sum was approved by the NFL.