Pass rusher Shaq Barrett wants to end his four-month retirement, and when he does, the Miami Dolphins should take a firm line: You play with us or no one in 2024.
Miami needs the help at the position, and cutting him free to join the team of his choice would set a terrible precedent.
Miami Dolphins’ Shaq Barrett Decision
Barrett’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told reporters Tuesday that Barrett is applying for reinstatement. And while NFL Media reported that Barrett is open to reporting to the Dolphins, it’s unclear if they want him back in the locker room.
Anthony Weaver, the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, had the unfortunate luck of speaking to reporters just minutes after the news broke that Barrett wanted back into the NFL.
His comments suggested that Barrett returning to the Dolphins isn’t a sure thing.
“I gotta be honest — that news to me, so I really got no comment on that, because first I’ve heard of it,” Weaver said.
When asked by PFN later in his media availability about whoever Barrett joins in the season’s final weeks would be getting, Weaver responded:
“I think with Shaq, it was his veteran presence, right? It’s obviously a guy that has a bunch of pelts on the wall, that has a Super Bowl ring. There isn’t anything schematically that he hasn’t seen, and he’s been impactful throughout his time in the league.
“So that was obviously what we saw in him. And you know, if he chooses to come back here, or whatever that is, and then God bless him. But right now, I’m focusing on the guys who have been here, who have been committed to us, and are currently in the fight.”
It’s hard to get across in print the inflection in Weaver’s voice when he made those comments. But anyone listening could sense that Weaver certainly had some thoughts about a player who quit on his team just days before training camp deciding he wants back in during a playoff push.
Couple that with Rosenhaus’ comments to the local FOX affiliates, and there’s definitely some questions about whether Barrett would be welcomed back with open arms.
From Shaq Barrett’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus on a potential return, “It all depends on the Dolphins and what they want to do… waiting for them to decide.”
Miami owns his rights. Signed a 1-year deal worth up to $9 mill with incentives this offseason. #nfl #Finsup pic.twitter.com/oBYpQIlxST— Josh Moser (@TheMozKnowz) November 26, 2024
“It all depends on the Dolphins and what they want to do,” Rosenhaus told the outlet. “Waiting for them to decide.”
UPDATE (3:50 p.m.): Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he had not been in communication with Barrett during his retirement and was “fully caught off-guard, caught by surprise this morning when I found out. It wouldn’t be reasonable. … I haven’t really had a chance to think about it.”
Our take: The Dolphins should work Barrett out, and if he looks like the guy they thought they were getting in the spring, swallow their pride and make it work.
With Jaelan Phillips on IR and Bradley Chubb still on PUP, Miami needs him. Even with the emergence of Chop Robinson, the Dolphins still have the fifth-fewest sacks in the league (21).
A late-season defensive front that includes Barrett, Robinson, Chubb, and Emmanuel Ogbah would be a dicey proposition for any team they face.