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The news that Buccaneers will apply the franchise mark to receiver Chris Godwin means, by implication, that they will not apply it to the defensive end Shaq Barrett, for the second consecutive year.
It also implies, given the relative importance of the two players to the team, that Barrett is about to agree to the terms of a long-term deal.
Barrett earned $ 15.828 million from the label in 2020. With a 20% increase, he would be entitled to a one-year salary, $ 18.99 million, if booked a second time.
It will not be marked a second time. Which means it will either hit the open market or sign a long-term deal.
It is quite possible that the Bucs and Barrett have already agreed to the terms, allowing the Bucs to tag Godwin. It will be interesting to see if news of the new Barrett deal will emerge today.