Ex-Bucs DB Ronde Barber has been hired by FOX Sports, and will serve as both a studio analyst and color commentator.

Ronde Barber said he probably would not have retired if he was still a starter. Barber started 232 of his 241 career games. But as the Bucs overhauled their secondary, he would have been mere depth at age 38. "If Mark (Dominik) and Greg (Schiano) would've said, 'Hey, we absolutely need you to play, you played great last year, here's X amount of dollars, come play, we need you...' That wasn't necessarily the case," he said. Barber is expected to go into broadcasting.

Ronde Barber has decided to retire. "I've had a better run than I ever could've dreamed of having," Barber told FOX Sports' Jay Glazer. One of the longest tenured players in the NFL, Barber is hanging it up after 16 seasons. A three-time All Pro, Barber helped the Bucs to a win in Super Bowl XXXVII, and holds the record for most consecutive starts by a defensive back (215). Barber showed well as a safety last season, but would have been returning as a reserve after the Bucs added Dashon Goldson and Johnthan Banks. Barber should be enshrined in the Bucs' Ring of Honor, and quite possibly the Hall-of-Fame.

The Tampa Bay Times believes free agent Ronde Barber would "not enjoy extensive playing time" if he returned for a 17th season. Per beat writer Stephen F. Holder, Barber would be returning as no more than the Bucs' dime corner or third safety. Barber was thought to be a candidate for nickel duties, but the Bucs are three deep at cornerback after using the No. 43 pick on Johnthan Banks. Barber has to decide if returning is worth making minimum money for minimum snaps.

The Bucs remain open to re-signing free agent S/CB Ronde Barber. Barber could return as Tampa Bay's nickel corner, covering slot receivers. He just wouldn't be a starter. "When Ronde reaches out, we'll have a conversation and we'll talk through that," GM Mark Dominik said. Barber told the NFL Network in late March that he still hasn't decided on playing a 17th season.

Coach Greg Schiano said the Bucs are nowhere near a deadline on Ronde Barber's retirement decision.

Free agent Ronde Barber stated on NFL Network Monday that he's undecided about playing a 17th season. "Perhaps," Barber said when asked by NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano about whether he'll return. "I have not made a decision yet." Barber, 38 in April, plans to follow his "gut feeling" when the time comes to decide. Barber also strongly indicated he is unwilling to play for a team other than the Buccaneers.

Despite their addition of Dashon Goldson, the Buccaneers have left the door ajar for free agent Ronde Barber to re-sign with Tampa. The Bucs will start Goldson at Barber's old free safety position, but Barber could contribute as a slot corner and emerge as a starter should Goldson or a cornerback fall victim to injury. Barber can still play going on age 38. Armed with $27 million in cap space, the Buccaneers would have no trouble affording him.

Bucs GM Mark Dominik confirmed that the team wants free agent FS Ronde Barber back for a 17th NFL season. Barber, 38 in April, is still an effective free safety and slot corner, so the Bucs would be silly to not take him back. "Coach (Greg) Schiano and I met with Ronde this past week and expressed our desire for him to return to play another season with the Buccaneers," said Dominik in a team-website statement. "He asked us for some time to make his decision and we certainly respect that."

Free agent FS Ronde Barber says the Bucs want him back for a 17th NFL season. "They want me to play, but they have left it up to me like they have pretty much every year," Barber said. "I've got time, so I'm going to take my time." Barber, 38 next month, says he has no timetable for a decision. He'll likely be back.