Dolphins’ Shaquil Barrett Applies For Reinstatement

It appeared as though Shaquil Barrett’s career was over when he announced his retirement in July. However, the

seasoned pass rusher is now considering a comeback.

According to his agents (via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network), Barrett has submitted an application for reinstatement.

The Dolphins put him on the reserve/retired list in the offseason, but he is still under contract with them. Although

the team was taken aback by the decision to leave football, there was still hope for a comeback at the time.

When Barrett signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins this offseason, his five-year tenure with the Buccaneers

came to an end, but he was guaranteed a spot in 2024. That set him up to play a notable role in the team’s edge

contingent, and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports the 32-year-old is willing to suit up for the Dolphins

provided he is reinstated.

Since Week 4, when he sustained a season-ending knee injury, Miami has been without Jaelan Phillips for the most

of the season. Bradley Chubb is also a member of the team, although he has not yet made his 2024 debut because he

is still recovering from an ACL tear he sustained late in the previous campaign. Barrett might be able to play at least

a rotating role in the final run thanks to those absences. Although first-round rookie Chop Robinson has shown

potential in recent weeks, a Dolphins club hoping to contend in the postseason would undoubtedly welcome more

depth around the edge.

After leading the NFL in 2019 with 19.5 sacks, Barrett amassed 18 in the next two seasons. However, after that, his

workload and output decreased, and he recorded three sacks in 2022 before recording 4.5 last year. His Dolphins

contract includes incentives, such as $250K in roster bonuses per game. The two-time Super Bowl champion’s

income would increase if he were to return to action, and it would also strengthen his case for playing in 2025 if he

so chooses.

If any interested teams wanted to submit a claim, Barrett would be available to them if he were placed on waivers.

The two-time Pro Bowl player would then be a free agent if that didn’t happen. Should the Dolphins reciprocate his

desire to play in Miami.