Former Buccaneers Super Bowl Champion Edge Rusher Finally Released by Miami Dolphins

A former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl winner can now return to the NFL this year after coming out of retirement.

Dec 3, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett (7) rushes Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Former Super Bowl-winning edge rusher Shaquil Barrett had signed with the Miami Dolphins in the 2024 offseason, but retired from football shortly after. During the season, he declared that he wanted to return to football, but the Dolphins, who had put him on the reserve/retired list, refused to grant him his release.

That would have kept him from playing football this year. But on Thursday, the Dolphins finally granted him his wish.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday that the Dolphins do, indeed, plan on waiving Barrett, which would allow him to play football for a team this season. There is a bit of a catch involved, though — Barrett must be a free agent in order to play this year. Should a team instead claim him off of waivers, he would remain ineligible to play the rest of the season.

The Miami Dolphins are waiving former Pro-Bowl edge rusher Shaq Barrett from the Reserve Retired list today. Barrett can play again this season if he clears waivers Friday. If another team claims him, then Barrett would be ineligible to play the rest of this season. “We… pic.twitter.com/RxFEUsYzSd

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2024

Barrett had previously said that Tampa Bay would be the only team he'd want to come out of retirement for, and there certainly is a need there — Tampa Bay's edge rush has been severely lacking, so a return from him could help bolster that unit. Barrett's age showed in his last season with the Buccaneers, however, and he only had 4.5 sacks in 16 games with the team.

Wherever Barrett signs, he'd likely want to play for a contending team with just two games left in the year. The Bucs could be one of those, but they'll need some help from the Atlanta Falcons or Washington Commanders. Even before that, though, they'll face off against the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. this Sunday.

---

READ MORE: Bucs Slip In Week 17 Power Rankings After Brutal Loss

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 season.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook

More Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

• Tony Dungy Calls Out Todd Bowles for Bad Mistake During Buccaneers-Cowboys

• Buccaneers Give NFC South Back to Falcons With 2 Games Remaining

• Buccaneers HC Pinpoints Big Issue For Defense After Cowboys Loss

• Buccaneers Still Battling Punter Woes as 2024 NFL Season Winds Down