Shaq Barrett: “It’s Sweeter To Come Back Home”
January 2nd, 2025
Shaq Barrett talks return.
“Home” won out over maybe cash or perhaps jewelry.
That’s the way Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett saw it when, last week, he decided to come out of retirement and play once again for the Bucs.
Shaq had signed in March with the Dolphins but shocked everyone when he retired in July. Last week the Dolphins agreed to release him and when he cleared waivers, it was open season.
Shaq noted the first two teams “maybe” three weeks ago to call his agent, oily Drew Rosenhaus, were the Eagles and Lions.
A short time later, the Bucs called. That was it. Slam dunk. Shaq would return to Tampa Bay.
“It’s so much sweeter to come back here, home, with the guys I know already and the playbook is still — it’s hard — there are still some plays I know so it’s not like I have to relearn everything,” Shaq said. “No brainer to come back here. No brainer.”
Shaq admitted that even though he told Kay Adams back in August that he would only play for the Bucs, his mindset and maybe not even his heart was set on returning to football at that time.
Basically, Shaq said, when he felt wanted by other teams, it motivated his heart to return.
Shaq admitted Bucs coach Todd Bowles’ defensive playbook is different from what he was used to the past four seasons. But there are enough of the same core responsibilities, assignments and plays to make learning the rest of the playbook much smoother than trying to learn another team’s from scratch.
Shaq said when the Bucs called he was “excited” and only spoke to Detroit and Philadelphia as a courtesy to inform them of his plans.
“I couldn’t wait to get back going again,” Shaq said.
He also confessed he was not 100 percent motivated to play for the Dolphins.
“If you are not 100 percent in it, you’re not going to be good to anybody. … Having that time away helped me find that love for the game again.”
Shaq said he is “nowhere near” able to play a full game but since beginning workouts a month ago, he feels he can log a few plays on Sunday if Bucs trainers give him the green light.
Also, Shaq said this comeback is not a one-off. He wants to play next season and if Father Time allows, maybe play through 2027.
Shaq said he stayed locked in on the Bucs and only missed watching two games this season.
Surprisingly, one element that enticed Shaq back to the Bucs was the offense. That’s right. That’s not a typo. The Bucs offense energized him.
While watching Bucs games, Shaq couldn’t help but think about chasing quarterbacks as they try to pass their way back into the game because the Bucs are lighting up the scoreboard.
“Dang, I would love to play with an offense like we’ve got now,” Shaq said he thought to himself. “Get the points up on the board and then the [opposing] offense has to try to match. You can’t throw quick passes the whole game.”
Shaq admitted he can’t wait to make quarterbacks eat dirt.
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:20 pm
It’s my understanding that Shaq’s family stayed in Tampa when he went to Miami. So an easy call to come back to his family and play for the Bucs. Even if father time has impacted his abilities, he’s still a plus because of his experience and smarts on the field. Maybe another pick-six like last year?
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:21 pm
LFG!!!!
We need pass rushers!!!
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:26 pm
Love that he’s back in red & pewter. Time to go hunting Shaq!
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:28 pm
The Big Win
Shaq had 19.5 sacks as an OLB in Bowles defense. Shaq enjoys mentoring younger players. Hopefully Yaya, Braz, and JTS can learn a thing or two.
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:28 pm
I hope he hits the ground running and gives us a lil juice in the trenches
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:53 pm
The Shaq Attack is back!!
January 2nd, 2025 at 5:11 pm
Run after and tackle the quarterback. Lesson over.
January 2nd, 2025 at 5:32 pm
Rush the Quarterback!- Bill Cowher
January 2nd, 2025 at 6:20 pm
I love Shaq but he was not great last season…..hopefully some rest was all he needed.
January 2nd, 2025 at 6:39 pm
I’ve been calling for this since week 2
January 2nd, 2025 at 6:40 pm
I may be in the minority here but I think the fact that we’re healthy in the trenches at this time of year bodes well for us.
Don’t be surprised to see Kancey and company “go off” if we make the dance!
January 2nd, 2025 at 7:17 pm
Hmmm, maybe Bowles should get back to doing what he did the previous seasons…
January 2nd, 2025 at 8:15 pm
There’s no reason he can’t have a second wind to his career similar to JPP when he got here. All anyone says is an Achilles injury is not truly a one year recovery.
It may not happen for him, but it’s darn well worth seeing if it can.
January 2nd, 2025 at 8:40 pm
Certain players you just WANT on the team when playoff time comes.
George Allen in the Redskin 1970’s heyday had such a guy. Can’t remember his name anymore, he got cut in camp, went back to stock trading. Allen called him up for the playoffs, dude blocked a punt (Skins still lost though)
January 2nd, 2025 at 10:42 pm
Shaq and JPP those were the days!–miss that! still hoping YaYa gets home more often, he is very solid. Todd Bowles defense would be better all around if we had a decent pass rush to go with the run stop we have. Maybe that would be acceptable if we could keep Coen as OC and buy us a pass rush and draft us a secondary.
January 3rd, 2025 at 4:17 am
Saw him at the Miranda Lagoon right over the summer he didn’t sound eager to report for training camp.. He was cool we had a nice quick conversation he told me how much he loves it here and how grateful he was for all the support he received from everyone when he lost his daughter..Glad he’s HOME
January 3rd, 2025 at 4:44 am
We are so lucky to have Shaq back. We all figured other teams would want him too. Being Eagles and Lions. So happy he is back with the Bucs!
January 3rd, 2025 at 5:44 am
shaq…the hired playoff assassin…just what the doctor ordered !
#FreshLegsMightJustDoIt
January 3rd, 2025 at 5:59 am
If nothing else, it shows the Young Bucs what our culture is all about in Tampa Bay, the city took one on the chin lasts year with that storm so we could use a good come back story this year.
January 3rd, 2025 at 11:40 pm
I love the fact that Shaqs’ family stayed in Tampa. They needed to stay at home. Continuity and consistency keeps a family together. Going to the same school, keeping your friends close help in the healing process. Shaq has done all the right things. I know the pain of an avulsed Achilles. As I am not a professional athlete, I did not have surgery, but years later, my leg never returned to normal. Make room in your coaching staff, and keep Shaq home, where he belongs. He will always be an asset, no matter the position.