Former Denver Broncos star surprisingly retires from the NFL

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett has decided to call it a career, abruptly walking away from the game after signing with a new team this offseason.

The news was reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN. Barrett spent 10 seasons in the league after going undrafted in 2014. The Broncos signed him after a solid career at Colorado State, making him a favorite among the fanbase.

Barrett did not play in any games in 2014 but in 2015, he made six starts and had 5.5 sacks as part of a stellar defense that helped the team win Super Bowl 50. He was a solid rotational pass-rusher for three more seasons in Denver but following the 2018 season, he was looking for more playing time. The Broncos had Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, so Barrett was not going to get the time he wanted by staying.

He bet on himself, signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and in 2019, he had his breakout season. That year, he led the league with 19.5 sacks and made the Pro Bowl, something he did twice while in Tampa.

Shaquil Barrett decides to call it a career

This March, Barrett signed a free-agent deal with the Miami Dolphins but he will apparently never play a down for them, instead deciding that it's time to spend more time with his family.

Barrett finishes his career with 400 total tackles, 59 sacks, three interceptions, 22 forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. That is a terrific career for an undrafted player.