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Jaguars should be ecstatic about the Shaq Barrett retirement news

• The Jaguars won't have to deal with Shaquil Barrett when they face Miami in the opener.

By Carlos Sanchez

Oct 14, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (58) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Oct 14, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (58) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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The Jacksonville Jaguars are scheduled to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. There's no doubt it will be a tough match but the Jags just got an edge with the news that edge rusher Shaquil Barrett announced he's stepping away from football.

Barrett posted on social media that he's retiring, pointing out that he wants to spend more time with his family.

"It's time for me to hang it up," Barrett said on his post. "It's been a great ride and I appreciate everything that came with it over the years. I'm ready to shift my full focus to my wife and kids and help them realize [their] dreams and catch them."

"Anyone who caught their dream before [knows] the work, time, and consistency required to reach them. I'm ready to start building them skills up in my kids which will take 100% commitment. Ik it will be a surprise to some but I've been thinking about this for a while, and the decision has never been more clear [than] it is now," Barrett said.

An undrafted free agent in 2014, Barrett was part of the Denver Broncos team that beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. After four seasons in Mile High, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. The former Colorado State Ram came close to joining the New York Jets in the offseason but ultimately signed with the Dolphins, arguing that they were more established and more proven than their division rival.

During his nine-year career, Barrett appeared in 131 games with 85 starts, registering 59 sacks, 400 total tackles, and 22 forced fumbles. He earned two Super Bowl rings and was named to the Pro Bowl twice. Here's the post he wrote on Instagram announcing his retirement.

The Jaguars still have to worry about Tykeek Hill and the Dolphins offense

The Miami Dolphins signed Shaquil Barrett in free agency to bolster their pass rush. Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillip are coming off serious injuries. Both of them are currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list and are not a good bet to suit up against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the opener.

Without Barrett, their rotation has taken a massive hit. This should be great news for Trevor Lawrence and the Jags but they cannot let their guard down. After all, they'll still need to account for the Miami offense.

Right now, Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa are entangled in contract negotiations with the Phins but both of them are healthy and should be available for Week 1. Also in the mix are Jaylen Waddle and Pro Bowl running back Raheem Mostert.

While games against the Carolina Panthers and the Washington Commanders helped the Phins pad up their stats, you can omit those games and their offense is still one of the best in the leagues.

Still, the Miami Dolphins defense will vulnerable without Shaq Barrett. That should incentivize the Jacksonville Jaguars to start 1-0 in 2024.

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