Most Buccaneers fans can agree, they love Shaq Barrett. Not just one of the best edge rushers the team has had in a good long while and a key piece of the Super Bowl run, but he is such a great person. We all knew his cut was coming, but it still hurt. I wished him good luck in Miami and hoped he could do well there. And then he retired and I thought that was it.
However, based upon what he said on the “Up & Adams Show” with Kay Adams, maybe it isn’t. He recently went on there to say he would unretire only if he was brought back to the Bucs. There was much rejoice. But how likely is it?
Despite being retired, the Dolphins still hold on to his rights. Meaning, he can’t just sign with the team, he would have to be traded here. Considering he won’t play for Miami period, they don’t actually have that much incentive to keep it. The best example of this happening recently ironically involves the Bucs. In 2020, Gronk was retired but still under contract with the Patriots. But Brady obviously wanted him, so the team traded a fourth for Gronk and a seventh in 2020. And though he was out of football longer, you can argue Gronk was a better player at that point than Shaq is now. I really don’t think it would cost much to get him back.
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The real question is of course do the Bucs want him. It may seem strange for the team to cut a player and then bring him back, but that isn’t the full context. It was more about getting out of the contract the Bucs gave him at his height. He was being paid a lot that the team didn’t think he was worth. But if they bring him back, it would be a deal more reflective of his value. I would wager it would be very similar to the Randy Gregory deal.
Because that would in effect be his role. He would be a situational guy while he helps our young’uns (which is all of our edge rushers) develop. The difference between him and Gregory is I do think he has more in the tank. The biggest thing for Shaq is if he can overcome an injury that is devastating for someone at his position and age. However, we have seen players come back from this and look fully back. The question is if the lack of production is on the Achilles tear, age, or a combo thereof. I do think the Bucs should consider bringing him back. He will likely not be the guy he was in 2019 or 2020, but he can still produce and his presence in a locker room cannot be overstated.
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