Two years back, wide receiver Tyreek Hill chose the Dolphins over the Jets. This year, pass rusher Shaquil Barrett did the same. During an interview with Zach Gelb on CBS Sports Radio, Barrett revealed that he was in talks with the Jets until the Dolphins came in and sealed the deal.
“My agent and I were discussing the possibility of me joining New York, and it seemed like it was going to be New York until… the day I agreed to terms with the Dolphins,” Barrett stated. “And they just unexpectedly came into the picture.
I was excited about the idea of joining New York, but the Dolphins, they’re just more established as a team. They’re more proven at this point. Plus, they have some talented guys in the room, like my pass-rush room, so I was eager to team up with them. And the fact that there’s no state tax, that’s a bonus.”
Barrett also mentioned that playing in Miami allows his family to stay close to Tampa, where he played from 2019 to 2023.
Released by the Bucs on March 13, Barrett signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins. The 31-year-old recorded 19.5 sacks in his debut season with the Bucs. He could potentially become the first player to participate in and win a Super Bowl with three different teams.
However, the Dolphins first need to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs. Bringing in Barrett is part of their efforts to achieve that goal.
