Shaq Barrett in a Miami Dolphins uniform.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaq Barrett, recently signed by the Miami Dolphins, has issued a strong statement regarding his former team. After being released by the Buccaneers earlier this offseason, Barrett inked a one-year deal with the Dolphins and is determined to prove his former team wrong.
“I’ve still got a lot to prove,” Barrett stated in an interview with NFL media’s Grant Gordon. “Especially getting cut from another team. That adds another whole fuel to the fire right there. The Dolphins are going to be happy they signed me. Tampa is going to be mad they let me go because this year that I’m planning on having and the success that we’re about to have as a team is going to be amazing.” This bold declaration sets the stage for a potentially compelling storyline in the upcoming NFL season. Barrett’s desire to excel in Miami is fueled by the Buccaneers’ decision to release him.
Barrett’s 2023 season with the Buccaneers was considered subpar by his standards. He recorded 52 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles, and one defensive touchdown in 16 games. While these statistics are respectable, they represent a decline in pass-rushing production compared to his earlier years in Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers’ decision to release Barrett was likely influenced by financial constraints. With the need to re-sign key players like quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans, the team had to make difficult choices regarding their roster. Barrett’s declining production and high salary made him a candidate for release.
Barrett’s NFL journey began as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State in 2015. He spent his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos, achieving moderate success before signing with the Buccaneers in 2019. His breakout season came in his first year with Tampa Bay, where he tallied 58 tackles, an impressive 19.5 sacks, one interception, and six forced fumbles. This performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection, Second-Team All-Pro honors, and a fourth-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
However, since that stellar 2019 season, Barrett has only reached double-digit sacks once, achieving 10 sacks in 2021 alongside 51 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. This raises the question of whether Barrett can recapture his previous dominance in Miami.
The upcoming NFL season will determine whether Barrett can reignite his career with the Dolphins and make the Buccaneers regret their decision. His performance will be closely watched as he attempts to prove that he still possesses the skills to be a dominant force in the league.
