Shaq Barrett has found a new – but familiar – home for the remainder of the season.
Just a day after the Dolphins waived the linebacker from the reserved/retired list, the Buccaneers have agreed to sign him for the final term, according to multiple reports.
Barrett cleared waivers Friday, making him officially eligible to play again this season.
Before the first day of training camp this season, Barrett, 32, announced his retirement from the NFL after signing a one-year contract worth $7 million with the Dolphins in March.
However, not even a month later, Barrett was hinting at the “perfect, perfect scenario” that would bring him out of retirement. when he appeared in “Up and Adams.”
Miami attempted to halt Barrett’s return to the league on Thanksgiving by refusing to remove him from the reserved/retired player list, which previously made him ineligible to play on any team for the remainder of the year.
But the two-time Pro Bowler now returns to Tampa Bay after five seasons with the team (2019-23) and a Super Bowl victory in 2020.
The linebacker led the NFL with 19.5 sacks in 2019 and remained a key defensive piece for the Bucs throughout his tenure in Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay sits just behind the Falcons for first place in the NFC South heading into Week 17.
Although both teams are 8-7, the Falcons hold the tiebreaker, leaving the Bucs out of a playoff spot.
With Tampa Bay’s defense saddled with multiple injuries throughout this season, Barrett hopes to be a key factor as the Bucs attempt to make the playoffs over the final two games.
The Bucs will face the Panthers on Sunday, while the Falcons will face the Commanders.
