Exactly one month ago it was reported that former Bucs outside linebacker Shaq Barrett applied for reinstatement to come out of retirement after hanging them up before the start of the season. With the Dolphins holding Barrett’s contractual rights after signing him to a one-year deal, they have kept him all season and have chosen not to release him.

That has changed, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday morning that Miami has waived the two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion.

Could this update mean Barrett will return to Tampa Bay to help the team’s playoff push?

Shaq Barrett’s Agent Says He Is “Ready To Play Immediately”

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

In Adam Schefter’s report, he reported that Shaq Barrett’s agent Drew Rosenhaus believes the outside linebacker can suit up and contribute the moment he signs on the dotted line.

“We appreciate the Dolphins giving Shaq this opportunity to continue his career in the NFL,” Rosenhaus said. “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.”

A key part of this statement is if Barrett clears waivers. Should he be claimed by another team, he would not be eligible to play the rest of the season.

He can play the rest of the season and during the playoffs if he passes through waivers. That would make him a fit for numerous playoff-contending teams that need an additional veteran pass rusher without having to give up any draft picks.

Barrett spent the last five seasons of his nine-year playing career in Tampa Bay with the Bucs. After signing a one-year deal in 2019, he recorded 19.5 sacks and would play a key part in the team’s 2020 playoff run that culminated with a Super Bowl victory. He remained a critical part of the team’s defense for the following three seasons, but after the 2023 season, he became a free agent.

General manager Jason Licht never closed the door on him returning, saying as much during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine after the team released him in late February. Barrett chose to sign with the Dolphins in March, but he never played a snap for them after deciding to retire in July to spend more time with his family.

Could Shaq Barrett Provide A Boost To Bucs OLB Corps?

Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett and Texans QB CJ Stroud – Photo by: USA Today

Having the itch to play again and with his familiarity and connections with a team he called home for most of his career, could Shaq Barrett return and provide a boost to a Bucs outside linebacker room that has not produced as expected?

Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka have been the team’s starters at the position throughout the year, with Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell filling in behind them. While Diaby has consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks, he has only 2.5 sacks this season.

The rest of the room has similarly done little in that department, with Nelson leading them with three sacks. Tryon-Shoyinka has had just two sacks in a contract year, and Braswell’s playing time has decreased as the year has progressed and has just half a sack.

While the team loved what Barrett brought on the field and the locker room, pump the brakes on his return.

Head coach Todd Bowles recently mentioned that the team did not have “enough room” on the roster to bring back reserve outside linebacker Markees Watts from injured reserve and decided to keep him there the rest of the season.

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

Would they make the space to bring in someone who has not played in a football game since the Bucs’ Divisional Round loss to the Lions in January? Regardless of him being in shape, he would still need to ramp up and get into football shape. Then comes his fit on the roster.

With only two games left this year, Bowles may not think it’s worth it to release a player, divvy up playing time and make further defensive adjustments to accommodate him, especially as younger players like Watts and Jose Ramirez are not even getting a crack at seeing the field.

Shaq Barrett remained productive when he last donned the red and pewter in 2023. Starting in 16 games, Barrett recorded 52 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and had a pick-six. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 15th-best pass-rushing edge rusher at 84.5. While he provided juice then, don’t count on him returning to do the same this deep into the year.