BREAKING: Former Bucs LB Shaq Barrett retires

Former Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett announced his retirement from the NFL on his Instagram account today:

Barrett’s retirement come after the Bucs released him in March. He then signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, but the pass rusher’s snaps in Tampa Bay appear to be his last in the NFL.

The Bucs signed Barrett in 2019, desperate for pass rush off the edge. The former Denver Bronco delivered and then some. Barrett led the NFL with 19.5 sacks in 2019, the most sacks ever recorded by a Buccaneer.

Over his five seasons in Tampa Bay, Barrett was the Bucs’ premiere pass rusher. He recorded 45 sacks, 22 more than the next closest player. A torn Achilles in 2022 slowed his production and may have contributed to his retirement.

Barrett was an instrumental piece of the Bucs’ 2020 Super Bowl team, leading the team in sacks (4) during the playoffs. His legendary 2019 season set a record that future Bucs players will aspire to reach but few will attain.