Have the Eagles convinced Shaq Barrett to retire?

The Eagles are on a seven-game winning streak, but as they look toward their postseason goals, there is a new, immediate need for some depth on defense.

Brandon Graham is out for the season and Bryce Huff is on IR for at least three more games, leaving Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith and rookie Jalyx Hunt as the remaining edge rushers. The team does have Tarron Jackson and newly signed KJ Henry on the practice squad, but that’s a pretty young group without BG. Since the trading deadline has unfortunately already passed, Veteran options at OLB/DE are limited for the Eagles.

Apart from that, there has been an interesting development. On Tuesday morning, Adam Schefter reported that LB Shaq Barrett has requested immediate reinstatement from retirement.

Barrett played nine years in the NFL, four in Denver and then five in Tampa Bay. The two-time Super Bowl winner retired in the summer following the 2023 season and finished his career with 400 total tackles, 125 QB hits, 59.0 sacks – including a league-leading 19.5 in 2019 – 22 forced Fumbles, five recovered fumbles and three more interceptions.

After playing for the Buccaneers in 2023, Barrett eventually signed with the Dolphins in free agency. Instead, he finally retired in July and never played a losing game for Miami. Nevertheless, the Dolphins are currently his contractual partner with whom he is working towards his reintegration. In order for Barrett to find his way to Philly – or another team – he would first have to be released by the Dolphins and clear waivers before he can sign.

Howie Roseman is considered one of the best GMs in the league for a reason, and there’s no doubt that he exhausted every possible option to sign an edge rusher – it’s not crazy to think that Howie called Barrett’s agent, to gauge his interest in returning to the game. Even though Barrett has asked to be reinstated for this reason, a lot would still have to happen to add him to the squad.