The Miami Dolphins are waiving pass rusher Shaquil Barrett from the reserve/retired list Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Barrett, 32, signed with the Dolphins earlier this year and worked with the team in the offseason, but opted to retire just before the start of training camp. In November, the two-time Pro Bowler changed his mind and applied to be immediately reinstated. However, Miami decided to leave Barrett off the roster, ending any chance of him returning to play for the Dolphins in 2024.
“Just talking with [general manager] Chris [Grier], and where our roster was at and the players that have earned the right to be on [the roster],” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel explained after the team made the move. “It’s a number’s game in the NFL. The timing I don’t think was necessarily ideal.”
But if Barrett clears waivers Friday, he’ll become a free agent who is eligible to sign with a team and immediately contribute.
“We appreciate the Dolphins giving Shaq this opportunity to continue his career in the NFL,” Barrett’s agent Drew Rosenhaus told Schefter. “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.”
Barrett, 32, began his career with the Denver Broncos, tallying 14 sacks in four seasons with the team. He eclipsed that total with a league-leading 19.5 sacks in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In five seasons with Tampa Bay, he recorded 45 sacks.
