The Miami Dolphins are on to Plan B at EDGE after veteran Shaquil Barrett informed them on the eve of his 10th NFL training camp that he is retiring.
Miami’s Next Steps After Shaquil Barrett’s Surprise Retirement
Barrett announced his decision on Saturday on Instagram, citing family considerations.
“It’s time for me to hang it up,” Barrett wrote. “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.”
Barrett added that while the news might catch people by surprise it’s been something he’s been mulling for some time.
“The decision has never been more clear than it is now.”
What is less clear, at least immediately: if Barrett’s choice caught the Dolphins by surprise.
Whatever the timeline, Mike McDaniel and Anthony Weaver couldn’t have loved the news. They were counting on Barrett to lead the way at outside linebacker early in the year as Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb continue to recover from significant Achilles and knee injuries, respectively.
Both will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and if they are unable to pass a physical before the start of the season they will miss at least the first four games of the season.
SEE MORE: Miami Dolphins Depth Chart
Backup outside linebacker Cameron Goode (knee) will also begin camp on PUP, leaving the Dolphins very young and very thin at that position. They drafted Chop Robinson (Round 1) and Mohamed Kamara (Round 5) back in April but surely didn’t envision them being their top two EDGE options heading into camp.
So don’t at all be surprised if the Dolphins sign a solid veteran between now and the start of camp. They can recoup Barrett’s $5.5 million signing bonus and $6.8 million cap obligation and apply that freed-up money to a vet.
Available options include Carl Lawson, Tyus Bowser, and Yannick Ngakoue.