Bucs are signing Shaquil Barrett

Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times on Dec 27, 2024

Published in Football

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TAMPA, Fla. — The Bucs' all-time single-season sack leader is returning to Tampa Bay.

Shaquil Barrett, who ended his retirement in November, had to clear waivers Thursday to sign with another team.

The Bucs will add him to their 53-man roster after he joins the club Saturday morning.

Barrett played five seasons in Tampa Bay, setting a club record with 19.5 sacks after joining the team in 2019 on a one-year, $4 million contract as a free agent from Denver.

He helped the Bucs to a Super Bowl 55 victory over the Chiefs a year later.

But Barrett saw his sack numbers decline steadily and played in only eight games in 2022 due to a torn Achilles, finishing with three sacks.

In 2023, after the offseason death of 2-year-old daughter Arrayah, he played in all 16 games, recording just 4.5 sacks, but forcing three fumbles and returning an interception for a touchdown.

Barrett, 32, signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Dolphins last offseason. But he announced his retirement on Instagram in July, the day before Miami opened training camp.

“It’s time for me to hang it up,” Barrett wrote on Instagram. “It’s been a great ride and I appreciate everything that came with it over the years. I’m ready to shift my full focus to my wife and kids and helping them realize their dreams. ... (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.”

However, Barrett had a change of heart and filed for reinstatement in November. The Dolphins declined to activate him despite injuries to their top two pass rushers, Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb.

Barrett would have been ineligible to play the remainder of the season if another team had claimed him.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus thanked the Dolphins for putting Barrett on waivers.

“We appreciate the Dolphins giving Shaq this opportunity to continue his career in the NFL,” Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “... He is in great shape and would be ready to play immediately.”

How soon the Bucs would activate Barrett is uncertain. Only two games remain in the regular season, both at Raymond James Stadium: Sunday against Carolina and the following week versus the Saints.

The Bucs and Falcons are 8-7, but Atlanta holds the tiebreaker with the series sweep.

While Barrett is said to be in good physical condition, he has not played football in nearly a year.

The Bucs certainly could use some pass rush help off the edge.

Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey leads the team in sacks with 6.5. Anthony Nelson leads all their outside pass rushers with three sacks. Yaya Diaby has 2.5 and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka two.

Several other teams reportedly were interested in signing Barrett.

But in August, Barrett told the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams that the only team he would consider playing for again would be the Bucs.

“I won’t do it for any other scenario or any other team,” Barrett said. “I have a lot of history down there. All that stuff with my daughter and how they came through for my family. … I’d take pay cuts for Tampa. I’d do anything for Tampa for the way they showed up for my family. ...

“Tampa has a special place in my heart.”