Precisely one month in the past it was reported that former Bucs outdoors linebacker Shaq Barrett utilized for reinstatement to come back 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 checklist right this moment. Barrett can play once more this season if he clears waivers Friday. If one other staff claims him, then Barrett could be ineligible to play the remainder of this season. “We… pic.twitter.com/RxFEUsYzSd
Might this replace imply Barrett will return to Tampa Bay to assist the staff’s playoff push?
Shaq Barrett’s Agent Says He Is “Ready To Play Immediately”
Former Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
In Adam Schefter’s report, he reported that Shaq Barrett’s agent Drew Rosenhaus believes the skin linebacker can go well with up and contribute the second he indicators on the dotted line.
“We appreciate the Dolphins giving Shaq this opportunity to continue his career in the NFL,” Rosenhaus stated. “Hopefully he will pass through waivers and become a free agent so he can play again this season. He is in great shape and would be ready to play immediately.”
A key a part of this assertion is that if Barrett clears waivers. Ought to he be claimed by one other staff, he wouldn’t be eligible to play the remainder of the season.
He can play the remainder of the season and throughout the playoffs if he passes by waivers. That might make him a match for quite a few playoff-contending groups that want a further veteran go rusher with out having to surrender any draft picks.
Barrett spent the final 5 seasons of his nine-year taking part in 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 staff’s 2020 playoff run that culminated with a Tremendous Bowl victory. He remained a important a part of the staff’s protection for the next three seasons, however after the 2023 season, he turned a free agent.
Common supervisor Jason Licht by no means closed the door on him returning, saying as a lot throughout the 2024 NFL Scouting Mix after the staff 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.
Might Shaq Barrett Present A Enhance To Bucs OLB Corps?
Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett and Texans QB CJ Stroud – Photograph by: USA As we speak
Having the itch to play once more and together with his familiarity and connections with a staff he known as dwelling for many of his profession, might Shaq Barrett return and supply a lift to a Bucs outdoors linebacker room that has not produced as anticipated?
Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka have been the staff’s starters on the place all year long, with Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell filling in behind them. Whereas Diaby has constantly pressured opposing quarterbacks, he has solely 2.5 sacks this season.
The remainder of the room has equally performed 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 taking part in time has decreased because the yr has progressed and has simply half a sack.
Whereas the staff liked what Barrett introduced on the sphere and the locker room, pump the brakes on his return.
Head coach Todd Bowles just lately talked about that the staff didn’t have “enough room” on the roster to deliver again reserve outdoors linebacker Markees Watts from injured reserve and determined to maintain him there the remainder of the season.
Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Would they make the house 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 could not suppose it’s value it to launch a participant, divvy up taking part in time and make additional defensive changes to accommodate him, particularly as youthful gamers like Watts and Jose Ramirez will not be even getting a crack at seeing the sphere.
Shaq Barrett remained productive when he final donned the purple 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 offered juice then, don’t rely on him returning to do the identical this deep into the yr.
