Tampa has re-signed their 2017 rushing leader. Peyton Barber returns on a one-year, $630,000 deal.
The Bucs made a minor splash ahead of the official start of Free Agency by re-signing their own Peyton Barber. ESPN’s Field Yates tweeted the news this morning.
The Bucs have signed RB Peyton Barber to a one-year, $630,000 contract through 2018, per league source. As of now, he could be in the mix to start at RB.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 13, 2018
As Yates mentions above, Barber is now in line to compete for the starting job heading into 2018. As it stands today, Barber and fellow running back, Jacquizz Rodgers are the only running backs currently signed to the Bucs roster. Tampa cut Doug Martin earlier in the off-season and the team plans to let Charles Sims test free agency.
2017 Stat line:
During the 2017 season, Barber was the Buccaneers leading rusher. Barber finished the season with 108 carries for 423 yards and three touchdowns. He also chipped in with 16 receptions for 114 yards.
2018 Outlook:
As mentioned earlier, Barber will have the opportunity to fight for the starting job in the 2018 season. It remains likely that the Bucs will look to add other options in Free Agency this week. There are plenty of other, more high profile names available that the Bucs may be interested in.
The list includes, former Super Bowl champion, Dion Lewis, former NFL rushing champ, DeMarco Murray and former 49ers starter, Carlos Hyde.
It has already been reported that Tampa has interest in former Vikings RB, Jerick McKinnon, so the Bucs are already kicking the tires on other options.
It’s likely that Barber will have a similar role in 2018 that he did in 2017. Barber was fine in relief of Doug Martin, but not outstanding. It just doesn’t seem like he did enough to warrant the team to bring in a lesser option and trust Barber with it’s starting job.
Regardless of how it all plays out, brace yourselves everybody, free agency is finally here! Let’s all just sit back, relax and enjoy the chaos.
Who would you like to see as the Bucs’ starting RB week 1? Let me know in the comments below.
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