Two of the NFL’s top pass rushers appear to be headed for free agency. Shaq Barrett and Bud Dupree are both unsigned for the 2021 season and won’t be hit with the franchise tag.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose to tag wide receiver Chris Godwin over Barrett, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. A year after the Pittsburgh Steelers franchised Dupree, the organization has informed the outside linebacker that he won’t be tagged this offseason, according to Schefter.

Only able to franchise one player, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh still have a chance to re-sign their respective players to long-term contracts.

Barrett led the NFL with 19.5 sacks for the 2019 season, his first as a member of the Buccaneers. The linebacker dropped to 8.0 sacks in 2020, though he was productive in the playoffs with three sacks in the NFC Championship Game and one more in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bucs have several big decisions to make in free agency. Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski, Leonard Fournette and Lavone David are also unsigned.

Dupree suffered a torn ACL in December that ended his season. Before getting hurt, the 28-year-old had 8.0 sacks in 11 games. Dupree has 18.5 sacks over his last 24 games.

The Steelers made Dupree the 22nd overall pick in the 2015 draft. Pittsburgh went 10-1 when Dupree played last season.

Pittsburgh led the NFL with 56 sacks last season. Tampa Bay ranked tied for fourth with 48.

Shaq Barrett Patrick Mahomes Chiefs Buccaneers
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass against Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. Patrick Smith/Getty Images
RELATED STORIES