Dolphins edge rusher Shaquil Barrett announces surprise retirement from NFL

Linebacker Shaquil Barrett dropped some bombshell news on the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, informing the team that he is retiring to spend more time with his family. The surprising development was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Barrett, 31, explained on social media his decision to retire right before training camp begins.

"It's time for me to hang it up," Barrett posted. "It's been a great ride and I appreciate everything that came with it over the years. I'm ready to shift my full focus to my wife and kids and helping them realize [their] dreams and catch 'em."

"[I know] to some it'll be a surprise," he added. "But I've been thinking about this for a while and the decision has never been more clear than it is now."

Barrett signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the Dolphins as a free agent this offseason after being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in February. He was due to be paid a $15.04 million option bonus if the Bucs hadn't cut him before the new league year began in March. Miami signed him two weeks later.

The Dolphins are left in a tough spot with their pass rushers in light of Barrett's retirement. Their top outside linebackers going into camp as rookies are Chop Robinson (the Dolphins' first-round pick) and Mo Kamara, according to the Miami Herald.

Jaelan Phillips is recovering from an Achilles injury, while Bradley Chubb is working his way back from a torn ACL. Both players could return during the 2024 season, but likely wouldn't do so until later in the year. Cameron Goode's status is also uncertain after he tore a patellar tendon in Week 17.

Miami released Emmanuel Ogbah in February and Andrew Van Ginkel left for the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.

In his five seasons with the Bucs, Barrett was named to two Pro Bowls, played on four playoff teams and won Super Bowl LV (2021) in Tampa Bay's home stadium. During the 2020 postseason, he had three sacks against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship and added one more versus the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Barrett led the NFL with 19 1/2 sacks in 2019, adding 58 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 37 quarterback hits. He reached double-digit sacks in one more season, compiling 10 in 2021.

An undrafted free agent out of Colorado State (where he won Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in 2013), Barrett began his NFL career with the Denver Broncos. He played four seasons in Denver, winning Super Bowl 50 (2016). He had 14 sacks with Denver, but became an explosive pass rusher with the Buccaneers.