The Dolphins have lost one of their top edge rushers — before he ever touched the field with the team.
Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett is retiring from the NFL, the 31-year-old announced in a lengthy post on his Instagram.
In March, Barrett had signed a one-year deal worth a reported $9 million with the Dolphins after spending the last five years with the Buccaneers.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Barrett told the Dolphins of his decision, which came from wanting to spend more time with his family.
Barrett, who has four kids, welcomed a baby girl with his wife, Jordanna, earlier this year less than 12 months after the couple’s then-2-year-old daughter, Arrayah, died in a tragic drowning incident.
“It’s time for me to hang it up. It’s been a great ride and I appreciate everything that came with it over the years,” Barrett said in his post. “I’m ready to shift my full focus to my wife and kids and helping them realize there dreams and catch em. Anyone who caught their dreams before know the work, time and consistency required to reach them.”
He added that while the decision might be a shock to some people, he had been thinking about the move for “a while.”
“I’m ready to start building them skills up in my kids which will take 100% commitment,” Barrett said.
The news is a big blow for Miami, which already lost linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel in free agency while Bradley Chubb (torn ACL) and Jaelan Phillips (torn Achilles) both started training camp on the PUP list while they recover from their respective injuries suffered during the 2023 season.
Barrett started his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos, spending four years in Denver before a breakout 2019 in Miami in which he recorded an NFL-best 19.5 sacks.
In nine seasons, he recorded 59 sacks and 400 tackles.