Two-time Super Bowl champion linebacker Shaquil Barrett has decided to retire after nine seasons in the NFL.
The 31-year-old made his announcement on social media on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s time for me to hang it up,” Barrett shared 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 help them realize their dreams and achieve them. Anyone who has caught their dreams before knows the work, time, and consistency required to reach them. I’m ready to start building those skills in my kids, which will take 100% commitment. I know this might be a surprise to some, but I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and the decision has never been clearer than it is now.”
This offseason, Barrett was released by the Buccaneers after five seasons in Tampa Bay. During free agency, he remained in Florida by signing with the Miami Dolphins. Just days before the start of Miami’s training camp, Barrett decided to hang up his cleats.
An undrafted free agent from Colorado State, Barrett joined the Broncos in 2015. In his rookie season, he played in 16 games and contributed to Denver’s Super Bowl 50 victory, earning his first Lombardi Trophy. Throughout his time in Denver, Barrett started in 15 out of 61 games and recorded 14 sacks.
After four seasons in Denver, Barrett moved to Tampa Bay. In his first season with the Buccaneers, he excelled in Bruce Arians’ defense, leading the league with 19.5 sacks, earning his first Pro Bowl honor, and playing a key role in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV win.
Barrett stayed with the Buccaneers for four more seasons, earning another Pro Bowl appearance in 2021. However, he suffered a torn Achilles midway through the next season. In 2023, he returned to the field and started 16 games for the Buccaneers, continuing to disrupt opposing offenses. The veteran played 62 percent of Tampa Bay’s regular-season snaps, and in the Buccaneers’ two playoff games, he recorded an interception in the Divisional Round loss to the Detroit Lions.
Barrett concludes his career with 400 tackles, 125 QB hits, 73 tackles for loss, 59 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, and three interceptions in 131 games.
