Shaquil Barrett was one of the league’s most dynamic and dangerous pass rushers for much of his time in the NFL. After retiring in 2024 to spend more time with his family, rumors have swirled about a potential comeback in 2025.
However, Barrett put those rumors to rest and confirmed he is officially done playing in the NFL and has no plans to return.
What Did Shaquil Barrett Say About Coming Out of Retirement?
Barrett put those rumors to rest and confirmed he is officially done playing in the NFL and has no plans to return.
“I could easily get in shape, so that’s not really the problem. But I just didn’t want to play football anymore,” Barrett told RG sports reporter DJ Siddiqi.
The two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl Champion did work out with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this season but has since decided to officially close that chapter of his life and move on from the NFL for good.
“There are days I’m really motivated, then there are times where I’m like, ‘Yeah, I don’t know why I thought about playing football again in the first place,’” says Barrett. “But now I’m like, 100% done. Even if I was to get a call, I wouldn’t entertain it. I’m done. I’m ready to be wholeheartedly and with my family until I figure out the next step in my career.”
This news may be disappointing to teams in need of pass-rushing help for the stretch run and the postseason. The Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Cincinnati Bengals are among the contenders who could have been interested in adding some pass-rushing help to their roster to make a push for the postseason. They rank No. 23, 24, 31, and 32, respectively, in PFSN’s Defense Impact Metrics.
The 33-year-old pass rusher registered 401 tackles (290 solo, 111 assists), 73 tackles for loss, 125 quarterback hits, 59 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and three interceptions in his lengthy NFL career.
His best season came in 2019, when he led the NFL in sacks with 19.5. In addition to leading the league in sacks that year, he added 58 tackles (45 solo, 13 assists), 19 tackles for loss, 37 quarterback hits, six forced fumbles, and an interception. The standout season led his fellow players to rank him as the No. 32 player in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.
While Barrett’s career ended after the 2024 season, this news closes the door for any potential return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or any other team. Meanwhile, his former team will look to hold off the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South and make a deep playoff run, just as they did when Barrett was anchoring their pass rush en route to a Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl LV.