Dolphins LB, two-time Super Bowl champion Shaquil Barrett announces retirement after nine seasons

Two-time Super Bowl champion linebacker Shaquil Barrett is calling it a career after nine NFL seasons.

The 31-year-old announced his retirement Saturday afternoon on social media.

“It’s time for me to hang it up,” Barrett wrote on Instagram. “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 there dreams and catch em. Anyone who caught their dreams before know the work, time and consistency required to reach them. I’m ready to start building them skills up in my kids which will take 100% commitment. Ik (I know) to some it’ll be a surprise but I’ve been thinking about this for a while and the decision has never been more clear then it is now.”

This offseason, Barrett was released by the Buccaneers after five seasons in Tampa Bay. During free agency, Barrett stayed in Florida to sign on with the Dolphins. But a few days before the start of Miami’s training camp, Barrett has decided to hang up his cleats.

An undrafted free agent from Colorado State, Barrett joined the Broncos in 2015. He appeared in all 16 games during his rookie season and contributed to Denver’s Super Bowl 50 run to win his first Lombardi Trophy. Throughout his four-year tenure in Denver, Barrett started 15 of his 61 games played and recorded 14 sacks.

Barrett then found a new home in 2019 in Tampa Bay, where he shined in his role during his first year with the Buccaneers defense. He led the league with 19.5 sacks, earned his first Pro Bowl bid and played a huge part in the team’s Super Bowl LV journey.

Barrett remained with the Buccaneers for four more years after that and made another Pro Bowl appearance in 2021. He suffered a torn Achilles midway through the following season, but returned in 2023 to start 16 games and play 62 percent of defensive snaps for the Bucs. He continued to be a disruptor during Tampa Bay’s run to a third straight NFC South title, as he contributed 52 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a pick.

Barrett ends his career with 400 tackles, 125 QB hits, 73 tackles for loss, 59 sacks, 22 forced fumbles and three interceptions in 131 games.

The Dolphins will now have to adjust to the unexpected hole left by the veteran defender’s retirement.