When former Bucs outside linebacker Shaq Barrett announced his retirement on July 20 over a month ago, it came as a surprise. Barrett had signed on with the Dolphins and participated in their offseason program in Miami before having second thoughts about it. A month later, another surprise was dropped by Shaq Barrett as he might not fully be retired just yet, at least from all 32 teams.

Barrett made an appearance on Kay Adams’ show “Up And Adams” where he discussed how retirement life was going with his family. When the topic approached about if he’d ever come out of retirement to play again, Barrett did say there was a scenario in which he would do so, but wouldn’t divulge more at first.

Shaq Barrett Needs A “Perfect Scenario” To Return”

“There’s one scenario that might be able to bring me out of retirement,” Shaq Barrett said. “Like a perfect, perfect, scenario, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. And I’m not expecting it to happen. If it happened I’ll let you all know but I don’t want to put it out there because I’m really happy with my decision of not playing football no more. But it’s one perfect scenario that could happen.”

Adams try to pry it out of Barrett, asking what the perfect scenario was with a specific team, or if it was a matter of being on a winning team that’s competing for a championship in the postseason.

Former Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett and Titans QB Will Levis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“It’s a location and a team,” Barrett followed up with. “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.”

Shaq Barrett is a two-time Super Bowl champion, so he doesn’t have to ring chase by any means. He won one each with the Broncos and the Bucs. Barrett, who made a fantastic career off of sacking the quarterback, forcing several fumbles, getting the occasional  interception and making big plays, then had his own giveaway.

“Geographically, locations where I might have a home at, or might have had a home,” he said.

By connecting the dots, all signs pointed to either one of those organizations that won titles with. Barrett of course played college football at Colorado State and then signed with the Broncos, so that would check out. He’s also spoken very highly about how much he’s enjoyed living in Tampa.

Finally, Barrett gave in after Adams kept getting to the answer.

“Have you played for this team before?” questioned Adams.

“Yes,” Barrett said with a grin.

A bewildered Adams replied with “You’re returning to Tampa!” as she emphatically pounded the table.

“That narrowed the list down a lot,” Barrett as he continued to laugh. “I’m not returning anywhere. I’m happily retired. I won’t do it for any other scenario or any other team or anything like that. 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.”

Here is the clip of Adams and Barrett’s conversation.

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: USA Today

The 2023 season was a tumultuous one for him for several reasons. As Barrett talked about, his family tragically lost their daughter, Arrayah, at the age of two in April of that year. The Bucs and the whole Tampa Bay community was as supportive as possible for Barrett and his family during that devastating time. Some how, some way, Barrett found the strength to play that season.

While his numbers were overall down from his typical performances, Barrett had a triumphant moment in Week 2 against the Bears where he had a pick-six late in the game that sealed the victory for the Bucs. With the Bears back near their own goal line, Barrett was able to grab the pass from Justin Fields at the line of scrimmage as his fellow teammates were able to push Barrett over the line for the touchdown.

Family is obviously very important to Barrett, which played a big role in his retirement from the Dolphins. Evidently, he views the Bucs in a special way as many Tampa Bay fans also view Barrett.

What Could Lead To A Barrett Return?

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

As Shaq Barrett talked about, the likelihood of his return to the Bucs isn’t likely. Tampa Bay kept six outside linebackers after roster cuts. Those are Yaya Diaby, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson, Chris Braswell, Jose Ramirez and Markees Watts. They also kept Daniel Grzesiak on the practice squad. 

Although Diaby has an ankle injury and Tryon-Shoyinka was out for a majority of training camp, it would have to take several long-term injuries for the Bucs to be thin at the position. Another factor in the way is that the Dolphins still maintain the rights of Barrett, so they’d have have to give a draft pick or some kind of compensation to acquire him. It might be unlikely, but anything is possible.

Some day Barrett will be back in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium. Hopefully it’ll be in the Bucs Ring Of Honor, but at least it will be a great opportunity to give him a standing ovation that he deserves.

Check out the entire episode of the Up And Adams Show with Barrett on as a guest.