Having been undrafted in 2014, now 32 year old linebacker Shaquil Barrett began his official National Football League career with the Denver Broncos, and spent four years with the franchise before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up his services in 2019.
His name will naturally still be very familiar with Buccaneers fans as the two time Super Bowl Champion, and two time Pro Bowl, was with us until the front office took the decision in 2024 of this year to release him. He was subsequently picked up by the Miami Dolphins a few days later in March, but by July the player had clearly had a change of heart about his future and his announced his decision to retire from the game as he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Injuries And Retirement Thoughts:
The vast majority in the NFL felt that this would probably be the last time we heard his name in relation to the sport, and despite his earlier Achilles tendon injury, there were certainly those who felt his decision to retire at that age was slightly premature – at least by a handful of years at the very least. Some would wonder if his decision was akin to premier league match odds and the chances of a player in their prime in England taking the proverbial final pay cheque for the sake of money.
It now seems that the player has been harbouring the same thoughts himself, as this week it was being reported that he has now officially applied for reinstatement to the game from his retirement, and his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey have confirmed as much to ESPN, stating that he is hoping his reinstatement will mean that he can immediately return to action.
Whilst this does not effect the Buccaneers directly, many fans will have an interest here and be following the developments, as it does throw the Dolphins a bit of a curve ball, as despite his official retirement they continue to retain his contractual rights after the $9 million March deal that was agreed to.
The question on everyone’s lips right now is, is his fitness and sharpness good enough for an immediate return to action (even if just high level training) after an effective four month break, and also just as importantly do the Dolphins even want him back now as 41 year old Mike McDaniel is working to his own plan right now.
Time For A U-Turn?
McDaniel would have moved on the second Barrett took himself out of the equation, and despite what is a very good back history here, with undoubted experience – let us not forget we are talking about a player with years left in the tank, who has recorded 400 tackles, 59 sacks, 22 forced fumbles and three interceptions – would their head coach be open to changing just because the player decided to make a slightly dramatic u-turn?
Would those above McDaniel acquiesce even if he was willing and could see a return pathway given the previous speedy change of heart after the deal had been signed in good faith? Would those in the Stink also be as forgiving now, and welcome him back with open arms?
His decision to try and return to the game creates far more questions than we currently really have answers, but to pivot it back to the Bucs, if Miami have no interest but also ultimately have no choice to at least bring him back into the fold to one degree or another, should it be something we look at in terms of giving him a return home, if the slate was wiped clean and a future deal was very favourable to us?
He did go on record last month as saying if he did ever return to the game, he would rather it be for us in any event.
Would not exactly help to grease a return to Miami would it!
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