Dolphins allowing ex-Broncos pass rusher to unretire in 2024

The Miami Dolphins have had a change of heart.

A month ago, pass rusher Shaq Barrett announced that he planned to unretire and return to the NFL. Because he signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins earlier this year, Barrett was still under contract with Miami.

In order to return to the NFL, Barrett needed to either be activated to the Dolphins’ 53-man roster or cut so he could join another team. Miami initially choose neither option, blocking Barrett’s return by keeping him on the reserve/retired list.

The Dolphins have now changed their mind and the team will waive Barrett from the waived/retired list today, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The pass rusher will still need a favor from NFL teams in order to play again this season.

If Barrett is claimed off waivers, he won’t be eligible to play until the 2025 season. If he clears waivers, Barrett will be able to sign anywhere as a free agent and play again this season. So Miami’s giving him a chance, but we’ll see if it works out.

The Miami Dolphins are waiving former Pro-Bowl edge rusher Shaq Barrett from the Reserve Retired list today. Barrett can play again this season if he clears waivers Friday. If another team claims him, then Barrett would be ineligible to play the rest of this season. “We… pic.twitter.com/RxFEUsYzSd

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2024

Barrett, 32, spent the first five years of his career with the Denver Broncos, winning Super Bowl 50. He later spent five years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a second Super Bowl. The veteran pass rusher has 59.0 career sacks on his resume.