LB Shaquil Barrett returns to Buccaneers 5 months after surprise retirement

Shaquil Barrett is back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers five months after he announced his surprise retirement.

The 32-year-old linebacker spent five seasons with the Buccaneers before being released last February. He signed a one-year, $9 million deal to join the Miami Dolphins, but never suited up for them as he retired just before training camp. Barrett said in an Instagram post that he had been thinking about the decision for some time and wanted to focus on family after a nine-year NFL career.

Following his retirement, Barrett was placed on the Dolphins’ reserve/retired list. On Thursday, he was waived by Miami and cleared on Friday, opening the door for him to sign with any team.

Pending a physical, Barrett will reportedly be signed to the Buccaneers’ 53-man active roster.

In his five seasons with the Buccaneers, Barrett was named to two Pro Bowls and was a second-team All-Pro. He led the NFL with 19 1/2 sacks in 2019, adding 58 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 37 quarterback hits. He reached double-digit sacks in one more season, compiling 10 in 2021.

Barrett has also been a part of two Super Bowl-winning teams — the Denver Broncos (Super Bowl 50) and Tampa (Super Bowl LV).

The door has been open for a Barrett/Buccaneers reunion. He told the “Up & Adams” podcast in August that there was a “perfect, perfect scenario” for which he would return and that Tampa has a “special place in my heart.” General manager Jason Licht spoke highly of the veteran linebacker following his release and said he wouldn’t rule out a return in the future.

The 8-7 Buccaneers wrap up their regular season with games against the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints and are currently tied with the Atlanta Falcons atop the NFC South. The Falcons, however, hold the advantage with the head-to-head tiebreaker and need to lose one of their final two games while Tampa will likely have to win out in order to clinch a fifth straight playoff berth.