Shaq Barrett Set to Become Free Agent After Dolphins Waive LB From Retired List

The saga between the Miami Dolphins and linebacker Shaq Barrett is seemingly coming to a close. Barrett chose to retire shockingly in the offseason after the Dolphins signed him after his release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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The Dolphins were high up on Barrett being a veteran pass rusher they needed, but the All-Pro chose to walk away from the game. Following the Dolphins’ success after Tua Tagovailo returned from injury, Barrett then stated he wished to return to the lineup.

Miami chose instead not to activate Barrett, leaving him on the reserved/retired list. Now, it appears the team’s tune has changed, and the linebacker is set to be waived instead.

This means that Barrett could presumably play for another team before the 2024 season concludes.

According to Adam Schefter, 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 appreciate the Dolphins giving Shaq this opportunity to continue his career in the NFL,’ said Barrett’s agent Drew Rosenhaus. ‘Hopefully he will pass through waivers and become a free agent so he can play again this season. He is in great shape and would be ready to play immediately.'”

Though the Dolphins had the contractual rights to Barrett, they are choosing instead to waive him, which allows him to join another team should someone want to claim him off waivers.

The question then becomes if a team will want to sign Barrett considering he chose retirement and changed his mind in the months following.

Though it would be believed that many NFL teams would choose to pass on Barrett, there are plenty of teams who might jump at the chance to add a quality pass rush for their playoff push. Barrett has secured 7.5 sacks in the last two seasons and has plenty left in the tank.

This is a classy move by the Dolphins, as they could have simply allowed Barrett to remain on the retired list and not play for the rest of the 2024 season. Instead, they are choosing simply to move away from him completely.

The Dolphins are hoping to land a playoff spot of their own, but they will need a lot of help from the Chargers and Broncos losing, along with winning their final two games. Though they could use Barrett, they are choosing to walk away instead.

For more on the Dolphins, head to Newsweek Sports.