Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett put his former team on alert after he signed with the Miami Dolphins on Monday.
“I have a lot to prove,” Barrett told reporters via The Palm Beach Post’s Joe Schad. “Especially being released from another team like that, adds more motivation. And I believe the Dolphins will be pleased they signed me. Tampa will regret letting me go.”
Barrett spent six seasons with the Buccaneers and recorded 249 tackles, 45 sacks, three interceptions, and 15 forced fumbles during that time. He contributed to the Buccaneers' Super Bowl victory in 2020 and achieved two seasons with 10 or more sacks, including a 19.5-sack performance in 2019.
Barrett faced changes in 2022 when he suffered an Achilles injury against the Baltimore Ravens. Barrett then experienced a challenging period with the unexpected death of his two-year-old daughter, Arrayah, in a drowning accident in April 2023. The Barrett family also had some significant good news following the tragedy with the birth of Allanah Ray in February.
“This past year was very eventful,” Barrett said. “A lot happened. Both positive and negative. And it has shown me how resilient I can be. It has taught me how to overcome difficulties and still come out on the other side.”
Shaq Barrett Sets Ambitious Goal After Sack Numbers Decline
Barrett’s performance on the field in 2023 did not reach the same level of productivity in terms of sacks as in 2021 or 2022 before the injury. Barrett only managed 4.5 sacks, 52 tackles, and three forced fumbles in 16 games.
Nevertheless, Miami is gaining a seasoned nine-year veteran who believes he still has much to offer as he pursues the single-season NFL sack record. Former NFL stars Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt currently hold the record at 22.5 sacks.
“My aim is to achieve 23 sacks,” Barrett stated regarding his objective with the Dolphins. “I want to break the record every year. I aspire to be the best. I want to be regarded as one of the top pass rushers in the game.”
Tampa Bay released Barrett on February 27 to save “nearly $5 million in salary cap relief” according to ESPN’s Jenna Laine. Miami capitalized on this by signing Barrett to a one-year deal, which will be “worth up to $9 million” according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, via CBS Sports.
Shaq Barrett: I Want You to Feel My Presence on a Football Field’
Barrett believes he will seamlessly integrate with the Dolphins defense. Miami also acquired linebackers Anthony Walker and Jordyn Brooks to bolster a unit that conceded an average of 23 points and 318.3 yards per game.
“Extremely aggressive,” Barrett commented on the Dolphins defense. “You have to give your all every single play. Find a way to get the job done no matter what… It’s like there are no friends on the football field.”
“When you have that competitive edge, I understand that off the field we are friends, but right now, I’m going all out. Right now I want you to truly sense my presence on the football field,” Barrett added.
An undrafted free agent in 2014 from Colorado State, Barrett initially made his mark in the NFL with the Denver Broncos . He aided the Broncos in winning a Super Bowl in 2015, and Barrett accumulated 14 sacks, 151 tackles, and seven forced fumbles in four seasons.
Barrett became a member of the Buccaneers without being paid in 2019. He made $73.15 million during his six seasons playing for the team.
