The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have extended an invitation to Ronde Barber but the veteran cornerback will take his time to decide if he will return for a 16th season.

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Barber met with Bucs general manager Mark Dominik and new coach Greg Schiano earlier today.

“Ronde, coach Schiano and I have had several meetings, he knows we'd like him back for a 16th season,” Dominik told Stroud. “We will respect his wish for a little more time to make his decision and look forward to speaking with him again soon.”

If the Bucs were to lose Barber, they potentially would be down two cornerbacks as Aqib Talib faces a trial this offseason on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Texas. An interesting dynamic that could be in play here is the fact that Barber is a strong advocate of former coach Raheem Morris, and he publicly lobbied for Morris to remain. Stay tuned.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune