Two-time Super Bowl champ Shaquil Barrett was recently released by the Miami Dolphins so he can join a playoff contender.
Barrett, who was supposed to play for the Dolphins this season, decided to retire at the beginning of the season but now wants to play again.
He recently re-signed with his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but said in an interview he was interested in the top two contenders in the NFC as well.
Eagles and Lions Both Wanted To Sign Shaquil Barrett
Barrett said that he was interested in signing with the Philadelphia Eagles and Detriot Lions, but he decided to sign with Tampa Bay, which he said was the ideal situation.
“Possibly like two, three weeks ago, maybe. Teams were interested — I didn’t know who specifically, I just know it was like three teams were interested in me,” Barrett said, via Pewter Report. “I think the Bucs came later along the line. … I was like, ‘Yeah, if I could go back there that would be the ideal situation.'”
Bucs OLB Shaquil Barrett said he didn’t think about unretiring until 2-3 teams showed interest about a month ago. They included the Eagles and Lions. pic.twitter.com/IWVjYefmvq
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) January 2, 2025
Barrett spent the first five years of his career with the Denver Broncos. He then spent the second half of his career with the Bucs, where he thrived. He played 70 games for the Buccaneers and racked up 45.0 sacks, 249 tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 15 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three interceptions, one turned for a touchdown. Despite his relatively short time with the Bucs (five seasons), he ranks fifth all-time in team history in sacks.
He also won a Super Bowl ring with Tampa Bay.
Why Did Barrett Retire?
Barrett’s sudden retirement shocked not only the Dolphins but the NFL, but he explained why he decided to shut it down before the season started, and it was a good reason: he wanted to spend more time with his family, as he explained earlier this year on social media.
“I’m ready to shift my full focus to my wife and kids and helping them realize their dreams and catch ’em,” he said. “I know to some it’ll be a surprise but I’ve been thinking about this for a while and the decision has never been more clear than it is now.”
#Dolphins LB Shaq Barrett announces that he’s retiring from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/dpmE68RNIY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 20, 2024
Just as his retirement came as a shock, his unretirement also came as a shock to the team that initially had his rights, the Dolphins.
The Dolphins had no clue at the time what they’d do with Barrett, but he and the team seem to be at peace with their decisions and have decided to both move on, opening the door for Barrett’s return to Tampa.