Two-time Super Bowl champion linebacker Shaquil Barrett is calling it a career after nine NFL seasons.
The 31-year-old announced his retirement Saturday afternoon on social media.
"It's time for me to hang it up," Barrett wrote 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 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 (I know) to some it'll be a surprise but I've been thinking about this for a while and the decision has never been more clear then it is now."
This offseason, Barrett was released by the Buccaneers after five seasons in Tampa Bay. During free agency, Barrett stayed in Florida as he signed with the Miami Dolphins. A few days before the start of Miami's training camp, Barrett has 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 run to win his first Lombardi Trophy. Throughout his tenure in Denver, Barrett started in 15 out of 61 games and recorded 14 sacks.
After spending four seasons in Denver, Barrett found a new home in Tampa Bay. In his first season with the Buccaneers, Barrett shined in his role in Bruce Arians' defense. He led the league with 19.5 sacks, earned his first Pro Bowl honor and played a huge role in the Buccaneers' Super Bowl LV journey.
Barrett remained with the Buccaneers for four more seasons and received another Pro Bowl appearance in 2021. However, the next year he suffered a torn Achilles midway through the season. In 2023, he returned to the field and started 16 games for the Buccaneers. He continued to be a disruptor to 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 ends his career with 400 tackles, 125 QB hits, 73 tackles for loss, 59 sacks, 22 forced fumbles and three interceptions in 131 games.
