For the second time this week, a former Denver Broncos player has come out of retirement to help a contending team pursue a Super Bowl title. Earlier this week, Teddy Bridgewater, who had retired to coach high school football after leaving the Broncos, was signed by the Detroit Lions as a backup quarterback. Now, Shaquil Barrett, after a strange situation with the Miami Dolphins, has reversed his decision to retire and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 53-man roster.
Barrett initially signed with the Dolphins as a free agent this offseason but chose to retire in July. However, later in the season, he reconsidered and made it clear that his return to the NFL would only be with Tampa Bay. Initially, it seemed that the Dolphins might hold onto Barrett’s rights, but they decided to waive him on Thursday. After clearing waivers, Barrett was free to sign with any team. Had another team claimed him off waivers, he would not have been eligible to play for the remainder of the season.
Barrett’s career began as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos in 2014 after playing college football at Colorado State. Despite being part of a defensive line that included stars like Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, and Shane Ray, Barrett managed to contribute with 14 sacks over his first four seasons, although a starting role seemed out of reach. In 2019, the Buccaneers signed him, and Barrett immediately made an impact. That season, he led the NFL with 19.5 sacks and finished fourth in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting. Now, he returns to the Buccaneers, who are leading the NFC South with two games left in the regular season.
