Miami Dolphins edge rusher Shaquil Barrett has shockingly announced he is retiring.
In an Instagram post on Saturday, Barrett said:
”It’s time for me to hang it up. 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 to some it’ll be a surprise but l’ve been thinking about this for a while and the decision has never been more clear then it is now.”
Barrett, 31, had signed a one-year deal with Miami this offseason.
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Shaq Barrett retirement hurts Dolphins
As Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (ACL) will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list, this puts additional pressure on rookie edge rushers Chop Robinson and Mo Kamara.
Kamara was looking forward to mentoring from Barrett, who also went to Colorado State.
Miami Dolphins’ Shaquil Barrett retires
Barrett had 19.5 sacks for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. While he hasn’t been as dominant in recent years, he was still a highly effective player.
This is a setback to a pass rush group that lost edges Andrew Van Ginkel and Emmanuel Ogbah in the offseason.
The Dolphins open training camp Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Joe Schad can be reached at jschad@pbpost.com.
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