Precisely one month in the past it was reported that former Bucs exterior linebacker Shaq Barrett utilized for reinstatement to return out of retirement after hanging them up earlier than the beginning of the season. With the Dolphins holding Barrett’s contractual rights after signing him to a one-year deal, they’ve stored him all season and have chosen to not launch him.
That has modified, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday morning that Miami has waived the two-time Professional Bowler and Tremendous Bowl champion.
The Miami Dolphins are waiving former Professional-Bowl edge rusher Shaq Barrett from the Reserve Retired record immediately. Barrett can play once more this season if he clears waivers Friday. If one other group claims him, then Barrett can be ineligible to play the remainder of this season. “We… pic.twitter.com/RxFEUsYzSd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2024
May this replace imply Barrett will return to Tampa Bay to assist the group’s playoff push?
Shaq Barrett’s Agent Says He Is “Prepared To Play Instantly”
Former Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
In Adam Schefter’s report, he reported that Shaq Barrett’s agent Drew Rosenhaus believes the surface linebacker can go well with up and contribute the second he indicators on the dotted line.
“We respect the Dolphins giving Shaq this chance to proceed his profession within the NFL,” Rosenhaus stated. “Hopefully he’ll move by way of waivers and develop into a free agent so he can play once more this season. He’s in nice form and can be able to play instantly.”
A key a part of this assertion is that if Barrett clears waivers. Ought to he be claimed by one other group, he wouldn’t be eligible to play the remainder of the season.
He can play the remainder of the season and in the course of the playoffs if he passes by way of waivers. That might make him a match for quite a few playoff-contending groups that want an extra veteran move rusher with out having to surrender any draft picks.
Barrett spent the final 5 seasons of his nine-year enjoying profession in Tampa Bay with the Bucs. After signing a one-year deal in 2019, he recorded 19.5 sacks and would play a key half within the group’s 2020 playoff run that culminated with a Tremendous Bowl victory. He remained a crucial a part of the group’s protection for the next three seasons, however after the 2023 season, he turned a free agent.
Basic supervisor Jason Licht by no means closed the door on him returning, saying as a lot in the course of the 2024 NFL Scouting Mix after the group launched him in late February. Barrett selected to signal with the Dolphins in March, however he by no means performed a snap for them after deciding to retire in July to spend extra time together with his household.
May Shaq Barrett Present A Increase To Bucs OLB Corps?
Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett and Texans QB CJ Stroud – Picture by: USA Right now
Having the itch to play once more and together with his familiarity and connections with a group he known as house for many of his profession, might Shaq Barrett return and supply a lift to a Bucs exterior linebacker room that has not produced as anticipated?
Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka have been the group’s starters on the place all year long, with Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell filling in behind them. Whereas Diaby has persistently pressured opposing quarterbacks, he has solely 2.5 sacks this season.
The remainder of the room has equally accomplished little in that division, with Nelson main them with three sacks. Tryon-Shoyinka has had simply two sacks in a contract yr, and Braswell’s enjoying time has decreased because the yr has progressed and has simply half a sack.
Whereas the group cherished what Barrett introduced on the sphere and the locker room, pump the brakes on his return.
Head coach Todd Bowles not too long ago talked about that the group didn’t have “sufficient room” on the roster to deliver again reserve exterior linebacker Markees Watts from injured reserve and determined to maintain him there the remainder of the season.
Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Would they make the area to usher in somebody who has not performed in a soccer recreation for the reason that Bucs’ Divisional Spherical loss to the Lions in January? No matter him being in form, he would nonetheless have to ramp up and get into soccer form. Then comes his match on the roster.
With solely two video games left this yr, Bowles might not assume it’s price it to launch a participant, divvy up enjoying time and make additional defensive changes to accommodate him, particularly as youthful gamers like Watts and Jose Ramirez usually are not even getting a crack at seeing the sphere.
Shaq Barrett remained productive when he final donned the crimson and pewter in 2023. Beginning in 16 video games, Barrett recorded 52 whole tackles, 4.5 sacks, and had a pick-six. Professional Soccer Focus graded him because the Fifteenth-best pass-rushing edge rusher at 84.5. Whereas he supplied juice then, don’t depend on him returning to do the identical this deep into the yr.
