The two-time Super Bowl winning linebacker wanted to come out of retirement and play out the remainder of the 2024 NFL season. But the Miami Dolphins, who exclusively hold his rights, declined to move the 32-year-old from the reserve/retired list and onto the active roster ahead of the league’s 4 p.m. ET deadline Thursday.

The Dolphins didn’t want to cut a player who “earned the right” to be on the roster to make room for Shaq Barrett.

Everyone who thought they'd seen the last of defensive standout Shaquil Barrett in the NFL can put the "welcome back" banners away. The 32-year-old retiree will

MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he was caught off guard by reports early Tuesday that linebacker Shaquil Barrett wants to unretire. The two-time Super Bowl winner signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in March, then abruptly announced his retirement on social media in July, just days before the start of Miami’s training camp.

After the Dolphins lost their Week 13 matchup with the Packers, Mike McDaniel revealed why LB Shaq Barrett has yet to return from injury.

The Dolphins don’t want Shaquil Barrett and they don’t want anyone else getting their hands on him either. But Barrett wants to play again. Despite the linebacker’s decision to unretire, the Dolphins didn’t activate him and won’t release him.

Barrett is reportedly open to the idea of continuing his NFL by playing with the Dolphins, but it remains to be seen if the team will welcome him back. After struggling to generate a pass rush early in the season, rookie first-round pick Chop Robinson has emerged as a dynamic threat off the edge in recent weeks.

Shaquil Barrett‘s attempts to resume his career in 2024 have fallen short. The veteran edge-rusher will remain on the reserve/retired list past Thursday's activation deadline, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Miami Dolphins have decided to not activate or release Shaq Barrett despite his desire to return to the NFL.