The Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves in a do-or-die situation, clinging to playoff hopes by the thinnest thread. With an 8-7 record, the math is simple: win the next two games or start making vacation plans. But in the lead-up to this high-stakes Week 17 matchup, the Bucs have made an eyebrow-raising decision about their newest addition, Shaquil Barrett. Will he suit up and make an impact, or is the team holding him back for a bigger plan?

It appears the Buccaneers have made a decision on the new linebacker. According to reporter Rick Stroud, Shaquil Barrett will not be part of the starting lineup for the time being. He will miss this week’s game against the Panthers, along with other new signings of the team from their practice squad. The post on X read, “#Bucs OLB Shaquil Barrett, who signed with the team Saturday, is inactive for today’s game vs. Panthers. Other inactive include WR Sterling Shepard, S Antoine Winfield Jr., OLB Jose Ramirez, OL Royce Newman, TE Cade Otton, and QB Michael Pratt, who was elevated from the practice squad.”

It’s a decision that seems to make sense for Shaquil Barrett at this point in his return. After coming out of retirement this year, the veteran edge rusher hasn’t taken the field yet. Naturally, jumping straight into game action without proper preparation could be risky. Listing him as inactive today feels more like a calculated step in getting him game-ready than anything else. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs likely want Barrett fully ready to make an impact when it matters most.

It’s not just Barrett sitting out, though. Tampa Bay is also without key contributors like starting cornerback Carlton Davis III and wide receiver Chris Godwin. With the playoff chances slim to none, it seems the Buccaneers are focused on playing it smart. And giving their stars the chance to heal up. After all, as Mayfield put it, it’s all about ‘taking care of business’—whether on or off the field.

Baker Mayfield wants the Buccaneers to take care of the small details

A good leader is put to the test when the team is in a difficult situation. And well, Tampa Bay is in a similar scenario. The team would need not only two consecutive victories but also the Commanders to lose their last two games. Only in this manner can the Buccaneers qualify, implying that their qualifying is not entirely on their own.

It’s a terrible situation for them, but quarterback Baker Mayfield isn’t worried about it. The man has a different perspective, stating that the team should prioritize even the small tasks. But what are these details in this situation? Well, these details are none other than the games ahead of them. The quarterback wants the team to focus on the faceoff against the Panthers and Saints first and try to stand tall at the end of both these games.

Mayfield called these things out in an interview, “Obviously not the scenario we want to be in, but still have to take care of business. Obviously, some things have to happen but if we don’t take care of business, that’s the mentality, it’s got to start there and got to do our job little details and everything that’s included in that to try and find a way to win.”

Mayfield’s words surely lit a fire under the Buccaneers. With a bit of hard work and maybe a sprinkle of luck, they still have an outside shot at the playoffs—and even the NFC South title. It’s not the easiest road, but in a division that’s still up for grabs, anything is possible. Stranger things have happened in the NFL, right?