Dolphins' Barrett: 'Tampa gonna be mad they let me go'

New Miami Dolphins pass-rusher Shaq Barrett thinks the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will regret releasing him this offseason.

"A lot to prove," Barrett said Monday about the new season, according to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. "Especially getting cut from another team like that, adds another whole fuel to the fire right there. And I'm like, Dolphins gonna be happy they signed me. Tampa gonna be mad they let me go."

Barrett spent the last five seasons with the Buccaneers but was recently released as a cap casualty with one year left on his contract. The 31-year-old, who recorded 4.5 sacks in 2023, had a successful stint with Tampa Bay, as he led the NFL with 19.5 sacks in 2019 and helped the team win Super Bowl LV. However, Barrett failed to collect more than five sacks in each of the last two seasons.

The two-time Pro Bowler signed a one-year deal worth up to $9 million with the Dolphins last week.

"That was just amazing," Barrett said about joining Miami. "Everything just aligned. Stars were aligned."

Barrett will add experience and depth to a Dolphins pass rush in which Jaelan Phillips is rehabbing from a torn Achilles and Bradley Chubb is recovering from a torn ACL. Miami also saw linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel sign with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.

"I know they're hurt and nursing injuries right now," Barrett said. "And so maybe my role may be just to hold it down until they come back. And then become like a well-oiled machine when they get back. So I'm just ready for whatever my role is. And just to help the team and defense take it to the next level."

The Dolphins will be the third team of Barrett's career, as he previously spent time with the Denver Broncos (2015-18). The former undrafted rookie, who's amassed 59 career sacks, won a Super Bowl with Denver during the 2015 campaign.

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