In some interesting news coming from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday morning, Schefter reported that former Bucs outside linebacker Shaq Barrett has applied to be reinstated to the NFL and play immediately.

Barrett, who’s contractual rights are owned by the Dolphins, retired back in July.

So why does this possibly tie into the Bucs at all?

About a month after Barrett retired, he went on the Kay Adams Show and specified that there was only one team that he would come out of retirement for – and that was the Bucs.

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson and Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: USA Today

“It’s a location and a team,” Barrett said on the show. “It ain’t got nothing to do with winning a Super Bowl. It’s just one team that I would come out of retirement for, just one team, that’s it. Geographically, locations where I might have a home at, or might have had a home.”

After the connection was finally put together, it was evident that Barrett was only thinking about Tampa.

“I won’t do it for any other scenario or any other team or anything like that,” Barrett said. “I just have a lot of history down there. All the stuff that happened with my daughter and how they came through for the family. When I had two years left on my contract I told my wife ‘Tampa, I’d do anything for them. I’d take pay cuts for Tampa because the way they showed up for my family and stuff like that, it just meant so much to me. It was highly unexpected. Tampa, they got a special place in my heart.”

Would The Bucs Consider Bringing Back Shaq Barrett?

Shaq Barrett had some fantastic years with the Bucs, including breaking the single season sack record for Tampa Bay with 19.5 in the 2019 season followed by winning a Super Bowl in 2020. Barrett goes down as one of the best free agent signings in Bucs history and one of the best pass rushers the team has ever had.

Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

In five seasons in Tampa Bay that included winning a Super Bowl championship with the team, Barrett played in 70 regular season games and recorded 249 tackles, 45 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 11 pass breakups, three interceptions, one defensive touchdown. In nine playoff games, he had 12 tackles, four sacks, a pass breakup and an interception.

Barrett played the entire 2023 season for Tampa By, but the Bucs decided to release Barrett this offseason despite still having two years remaining on his contract. Barrett then signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins it the 2024 offseason. He spent mini-camp in Miami but then retired.

For Tampa Bay to even consider going after Shaq Barrett, it might mean that outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka may be out for longer than expected. JTS sprained his ankle in the Bucs’ win against the Giants, but Todd Bowles didn’t know how severe it is just yet.

With Markees Watts still on injured reserve, that leaves the Bucs with Yaya Diaby, Anthony Nelson, Chris Braswell and Jose Ramirez remaining at outside linebacker, and Ramirez has only played in two games this season at Atlanta and at New Orleans as a backup.

Why Shaq Barrett Fits For Bucs – If He Can Get Free From Miami

Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The production at outside linebacker hasn’t been ideal for the Bucs as far as getting to the quarterback goes. Reserve Anthony Nelson actually leads the group with three sacks despite playing significantly less than Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who each have two sacks. Luckily, the Bucs have been getting great play from interior defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, who have combined for 11 sacks, so the team is still finding ways to get to the quarterback.

Barrett certainly brings pass rushing prowess and a great deal of experience. However, the Bucs let him go for a reason, as his play was declining. With that said, not having to deal with the wear and tear of a whole season could benefit a fresh Barrett, who could help the Bucs with their playoff push.

The other hurdle that needs to be figured out is how Barrett gets let go from the Dolphins, since they still have his contractual rights. It’s very possible Barrett has already spoken to the Dolphins about this and may have been granted his request.

The NFL trade deadline is over, so the Bucs cannot trade for him.

Tampa Bay is attempting to go on a playoff run and either win the NFC South division again and make a run at a Wild Card playoff spot. They’ll need to win almost every game down the stretch, and with Todd Bowles’ defense being more of the issue due to its poor play this season, getting an important figure like Barrett back in Tampa Bay could be an important spark that the team needs.