The Miami Dolphins will start their July 23 training camp without one of their biggest acquisitions, as two-time Super Bowl champion linebacker Shaquil Barrett shockingly announced his retirement on social media on Saturday.
Read more: Newly Signed Dolphins LB Shockingly Retires
Barrett revealed he wants to spend more time with his family in a heartfelt post about walking away from the game.
“It’s time for me to hang it up. It’s been a great ride and I appreciate everything that came with it over the years,” Barrett wrote on Instagram. “I’m ready to shift my full focus to my wife and kids … [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 [than] it is now.”
The Dolphins acquired Barrett on May 18, just five days after he had been cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the 2023 season, Barrett secured 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception.
David Eulitt/Getty Images
Losing Barrett left a glaring hole in an already depleted pass-rushing group for the Dolphins. Both Bradley Chubb and Jaelen Phillips are nursing season-ending injuries, and Barrett would have proved to be a solid veteran presence on the line while Chubb and Phillips return.
Now, the Dolphins are set to bring back one of their own, a linebacker who was also a Super Bowl champion when he played for the Chiefs in 2019.
Dolphins will host free agent EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah for a work out Monday, per source.
Ogbah could fill much-needed pass rush void after Shaq Barrett retirement. He was productive in limited 2023 Dolphins role (5.5 sacks in 25% of snaps). Could do more under new DC Anthony Weaver.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) July 21, 2024
The Dolphins will bring in edge rusher Emannuel Ogbah for a workout on Monday. Ogbah most recently played with the Dolphins in 2023, racking up 5.5 sacks on very limited play.
Whatever the case was for Ogbah getting limited reps, former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is no longer with the Dolphins. They have a new defensive coordinator in Anthony Weaver, who may be the coach who can bring the best out of Ogbah again.
Ogbah began his career with the Cleveland Browns, being drafted by the team No. 32 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. In his three seasons with the Browns, he racked up 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 122 tackles.
After this stint with the Browns, Ogbah found his way to the Chiefs in 2019, where he was part of the defense that got the team to the Super Bowl. In his 2019 season, he secured 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and 32 tackles.
In 2020, Ogbah would be signed by the Dolphins to a two-year $15 million deal. He would work his way to a four-year, $65 million contract extension in 2022, but Ogbah suffered a season-ending tricep tear during the season.
Ogbah was cut by the Dolphins on Feb. 23, 2024. Now, he will presumably get another chance with a new defensive scheme and coach.
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