2x Super Bowl champ Shaq Barrett teases NFL comeback but only for one special team
Veteran linebacker Shaq Barrett suddenly retired last month after signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins in March. Following a successful career, he surprised plenty of fans when he called it a career without suiting up for the Floridians.
The two-time Super Bowl champion is now 'happily retired', but after NFL analyst Kay Adams inquired about what would take for him to return to the field, Barrett offered a cryptic response.
"There's one scenario that might be able to bring me out of retirement, like a perfect, perfect scenario. But I don't think it's going to happen and I'm not expecting it to happen."
When Adams tried to get more info, Barrett doubled down and said that he was retired. But after a moment, he named the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as that 'perfect scenario' that'd make him come out of retirement.
"I've just got a lot of history down there," Barrett continued. "Tampa, I'd do anything. I'll take pay cuts for Tampa because the way they showed up for my family and stuff like that. It just meant so much to me and it was highly unexpected. Tampa, they've got a special place in my heart."
Shaq Barrett found success with both the Denver Broncos and Buccaneers, winning his first Super Bowl with the AFC South team in 2016.
That said, the Bucs appear to have a special place in his heart. From 2019 through to 2023, Barrett played 70 games in Tampa, recording 178 solo tackles, 71 assists, 45.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
He won his second Super Bowl in 2021, helping the Bucs neutralize Patrick Mahomes at the Raymond James Stadium.
Miami Dolphins brought 42-sack pass rusher to replace Shaq Barrett
After Shaq Barrett's sudden retirement, the Dolphins got to work to bring in a suitable replacement for the former Buccaneers star.
The Dolphins signed Emmanuel Ogbah in July, a player they previously released this offseason. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Dolphins acquired Ogbah's services on a one-year deal.
It looked like Ogbah had similar feelings for the Dolphins as Barrett had for the Bucs. Despite drawing interest from the Kansas City Chiefs, he decided to return to Hard Rock Stadium after he recorded 24.5 sacks with the Dolphins in the last four seasons.
The Miami Dolphins are keen to bounce back after a disappointing playoff exit in 2023. With Tua Tagovailoa locked in with a massive deal, they must perform at a high level on both ends of the ball. Unfortunately, they'd be without Shaq Barrett.