The NFL has always had its fair share of head-scratching moments, but it has reached a new level with the all, but official linebacker trade between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins. While this trade may seem simple on the surface, there is much more going on under the radar than would first meet the eye and it could be a crossroad for both teams. Let’s analyze the details, the ramifications, and what this trade means moving forward for both teams.
The Shocking Deal: Why did the Bucs and Dolphins Go for a Linebacker Swap?
Blow the trumpets (J.K. this is not a drill): Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins have swapped linebackers. But as fans explore more about the deal, it is apparent that there is a lot more happening than what is visible. This trade is about more than just a straight-up player-for-player swap—it’s a complex transaction with ramifications for the immediate and distant futures of both organizations.
The Participants: Shaquille Barrett and Jerome Baker
The trade at the center involves two linebackers with different skill sets but both key figures in their respective teams’ defensive schemes.
- The Tampa Bay passer disruptor Shaquille Barrett goes to Miami. Barrett is an explosive talent who has shown the ability to disrupt quarterbacks, and he adds an immediate presence as an edge rusher for the Dolphins, who don’t have much consistency in that area.
- Jerome Baker, a three-down linebacker who can cover and has impressive sideline-to-sideline speed, goes to the Bucs. The addition of Jeff Okudah via trade allowed Tampa Bay to really focus on enhancing their defense against the run and improving coverage, and Baker was and is the perfect system fit.
Although this deal appears to be a straightforward linebacker swap (and it largely is), there are more layers to peel back here, including future draft picks and potential loan terms that make this a far more interesting trade. But what can each player add to his new squad? Let’s break it down further.
Shaquille Barrett: Miami’s Pass-Rushing Powerhouse
Shaquille Barrett has been one of the scariest edge rushers in the NFL for a while now. After joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, Barrett had a career season, registering 19.5 sacks, which earned him a Pro Bowl nod and established him as a premier pass rusher. His sack totals have gone down in subsequent seasons, but Barrett has been known as a disruptive player in the trenches with a relentless motor who can collapse the pocket.
What Barrett Adds to the Dolphins
- Elite Pass Rush: Miami has been unable to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. Barrett’s ability to sack the QB gives the Dolphins a much-needed edge rusher to pair with their defensive line.
- Leadership and Experience: Barrett is a veteran and provides invaluable leadership in Miami’s locker room, particularly to a defense that features younger players such as Jevon Holland and Christian Wilkins.
- Flexibility: While Barrett is mostly an edge rusher, he has the versatility to line up in different locales along the defensive front, giving Miami defensive coordinator Vic Fangio additional options to vary his schemes.
With Barrett joining the team, Miami’s defense is set to receive a major upgrade. Adding a player of his caliber into the mix will make for a Dolphins’ defense that is much more dynamic and explosive, particularly in its pursuit to compete in the tough AFC East.
Jerome Baker: A Tampa Bay Coverage Specialist
Jerome Baker, meanwhile, has established himself as one of the league’s most versatile linebackers. His capacity to close ground fast, thrive in coverage scenarios and play more than one linebacker spot makes him a sought-after asset in modern-day NFL. Baker, who isn’t much of a pass-rusher like Barrett, has the speed and coverage skills to make plays in space, which is a must in Tampa Bay’s defensive system.
What Baker Offers the Buccaneers
- Specialized Cover Skills: Baker has particularly elite coverage skills for when you NEED to give up a lot of things because of other players. His ability to cover an array of offensive players will help Tampa Bay’s defense.
- Sideline-to-Sideline Speed: Baker’s ability to cover the field in a hurry is one of his most coveted traits, allowing him to make plays in the running game and the passing game. His speed also should aid Tampa Bay’s defense against mobile quarterbacks and up-tempo offenses.
- Leadership: Baker’s leadership, both on and off the field, will be important for a Bucs defense that counts on vet guys like Lavonte David and Devin White to lead by example.
Adding another piece is what the Buccaneers are looking for in Baker, a speedy linebacker who can not only make plays in the passing game, but adds a layer of depth to the run game as well. Baker’s skills will be important as the Bucs look to build on last season’s effort and make another playoff run.
What does this trade mean for the Bucs and Dolphins?
Although both sides improved their units, this trade means so much more than statistical output. The Bucs and Dolphins have long-term plans for the future, and that future could be impacted shoulder-to-shoulder with this trade, as both teams focused on improving specific spots in their rosters.
Barrett’s Play for Miami’s Playoff Push
For the Dolphins, signing Shaquille Barrett would be a “win-now” move. Miami is loaded and its defense, which has shown signs of dominant play, is under the added pressure of a proven edge rusher. Having Barrett on the field means Miami now has more chances to sack opposing quarterbacks and generate takeaways, a skill set that could be key in a competitive AFC playoff picture.
Key Considerations for Miami:
- Pass Rush: Barrett’s sack production should bolster a Miami pass rush that placed 23rd in the league in sacks a year ago.
- Defensive Scheme: Barrett’s flexibility to line up at several spots on the defensive front will enable Fangio to be even more aggressive with a hybrid scheme.
- Leadership: Barrett’s championship-winning experience is valuable for Miami as it crosses into a new milestone known as the postseason, where mental fortitude becomes amplified in high-pressure situations.
The Dolphins hope to contend in a strong AFC East, and with a new-and-improved defense they are making themselves into a bona fide playoff contender.
Baker’s Focus on the Future for Tampa Bay
Jerome Baker coming to the Buccaneers was more of a long-term play. The Bucs are also in transition, but they are attempting to rebuild around a defense that can keep them competitive in the NFC South. Baker, with his coverage ability and athleticism, offers instant assistance to a defense that did not perform well in some major areas of last season.
Some Key Tampa Bay Takeaways:
- Coverage and Versatility: Baker’s ability to cover tight ends and running backs will help strengthen a Bucs defense that was torched in the passing game last season.
- Youth Movement: Baker adds a versatile linebacker to Bucs’ arsenal that already features young rising stars Devin White and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
- Salary Cap Flexibility — A trade on a player like Baker (still in his prime) will be a move that will allow Tampa Bay to have considerably better salary cap flexibility to build a defense that can compete over time.
This paves the way for Tampa Bay’s future — a youth movement built around Baker, White and other rising stars.
The Trade’s Master Stroke: It’s a Win-Win Situation
At a glance, this linebacker exchange between the Buccaneers and Dolphins seems like a lowkey pickup. Miami adds an elite pass rusher in Barrett that can help elevate their already strong defense, and Tampa Bay helps its linebacker depth with Baker, who is versatile. The two sides are also filling their biggest holes while positioning themselves for future triumph.
Expert Analysis
NFL analyst Adam Schefter added his two cents about the trade, and explained, “This is a classic case of two teams identifying what they need and going after it. Miami was looking for an edge rusher, and Tampa Bay needed additional coverage depth. This is a move that will pay off big time for both teams.”
Flipping over QB, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said, “Barrett’s impact on the city of Miami will be felt immediately and Baker’s presence in Tampa Bay will help solidify a unit that’s already one of the best in the NFC.
In Summary: A Risky Decision with Major Consequences
In NFL trade lexicon, the linebackers that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins traded represent a high-risk/high-reward risk proposition. Both teams are set to make big improvements on the **
