The Miami Dolphins have reached a decision on linebacker Shaquil Barrett, opting against activating him off the reserve/retired list and thus closing the door on the veteran playing for them this season.
The Dolphins faced a 4 p.m. deadline on Thursday to move Barrett from the reserve/retired list to the active roster.
Miami has also seemingly decided that it won’t release the two-time Pro Bowler, meaning he won’t be able to sign with another team amid the NFL playoff race.
The #Dolphins have elected not to activate pass-rusher Shaq Barrett off the reserve/retired list, which means he will not play for Miami this season, per source.
Miami also does not intend to release him and allow him to play for another team in the midst of a playoff push. pic.twitter.com/M15FZ7GT1O
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2024
Barrett signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in the offseason, but he announced his retirement from football over the summer. Because of league rules, a player can’t retire and then become a free agent at the end of the season. That means that the Dolphins still own his rights for the 2025 campaign.
Worth noting: A player can't retire and then become a free agent at the end of the season. So Shaq Barrett's contract now tolls and the #Dolphins still own his rights for 2025. https://t.co/jOdiIwwKoQ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 28, 2024
The idea of Barrett coming out of retirement gained steam this week when it was revealed that he was applying for reinstatement.
Former Pro-Bowl LB Shaq Barrett, who announced his retirement from the NFL in July, has applied to be reinstated to play immediately, per his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. Barrett is coming out of retirement. The Dolphins currently hold Barrett’s contractual rights. pic.twitter.com/sImEbWJ4Ni
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 26, 2024
Another report indicated that Barrett was willing to play for the Dolphins in his return.
Shaq Barrett is willing to play for the Dolphins in his return, per source.
Miami has his contract rights. He spent offseason workouts with Dolphins before retirement.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) November 26, 2024
That development might have caught some people by surprise, especially because Barrett said a few months back that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the only team he’d consider coming out of retirement for.
In the end, it doesn’t appear that the two-time Super Bowl champion will be able to play in the NFL this season. His situation next season will be worth monitoring.
Barrett has been through a lot in his personal life. He had a two-year-old daughter who tragically died after she drowned in April of 2023. When he retired, he cited wanting to shift his focus to his family.
It now seems as though he still has an itch to get back on the field, but it evidently isn’t going to happen this season.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins are trying to continue their resurgence this season after a 2-6 start. They’ve clawed their way back to a 5-6 record and will have a chance to get back to .500 when they take on the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving.
