ESPN News: Eagles Close in to sign an NFL All-Pro, two-time Super Bowl winner and a two-time Pro Bowler as a replacement for injured Brandon Graham.
When veteran defensive end Brandon Graham tore his triceps during the Philadelphia Eagles’ 37–20 victory against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12, the team lost one of its defensive captains.
With former NFL All-Pro outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett announcing his retirement on November 26, the Eagles, who are currently on a seven-game winning run, may have a chance to replace Graham with a player of a comparable level if they act swiftly.
In March 2024, Barrett agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. In July of that same year, he surprised the team by announcing his retirement.
From ESPN: “Agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday that two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaq Barrett, who declared his retirement from the NFL in July, has applied for immediate reinstatement.”
The Eagles may need to look into this option as they enter the final six games of the season with a 9-2 record and a chance to secure the top seed in the NFC playoffs, even though it wouldn’t be as simple as signing Barrett as a free agent because the Dolphins still have his contractual rights.
After leading the NFL in 19.5 sacks in 2019, Barrett was named an NFL All-Pro. He is a two-time Super Bowl winner and a two-time Pro Bowler.
In August of last year, Barrett made a suggestion that he might not be done playing football.
On August 29, former Tampa Bay outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett stated that he would think about playing for the Buccaneers and no one else when he appeared on the “Up & Adams Show” with presenter Kay Adams.
Barrett spent five seasons with the Buccaneers from 2019 to 2023 and five seasons with the Denver Broncos from 2014 to 2018.
Barrett stated, “There is only one team for which I would come out of retirement.” “… Even if I’m content to be retired, I wouldn’t do it for any other team if the ideal situation materialized. I just have a great deal of history (with Tampa Bay), along with all the events involving my daughter and how they supported my family. Because of what Tampa did for my family, I informed my wife that I would accept any reduction in wages. I have a particular place in my heart for Tampa.
Barrett’s 2-year-old daughter, Arrayah, drowned in the pool at the family’s South Tampa home in April 2023.
From Undrafted to Among the Best in the NFL
After Nebraska-Omaha’s football program was dissolved in 2010, Barrett relocated to Colorado State to continue his academic education. In 2013, he concluded the season with 12.0 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss, earning him the title of Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Despite not playing any games as an undrafted free agent, Barrett spent 2014 on the Broncos’ practice squad and active roster. In 2015, he was added to the opening day roster and started six games, including a Super Bowl victory against the Carolina Panthers.
After leading the NFL in sacks, playing on the franchise tag in 2020, and helping the club win a Super Bowl, Barrett signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Buccaneers in 2019. In March 2021, he was rewarded with a four-year, $68 million contract.
