The Miami Dolphins decided to waive edge rusher Shaq Barrett — what’s next?

Shaq Barrett may take the field this season, if he clears waivers on Friday.

The Shaq Barrett era with the Miami Dolphins is over after roughly nine months. ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared that the franchise is waiving the former Super Bowl champion off the Reserve/Retired list on Thursday.

Barrett, who abruptly retired on July 20 after signing a one-year, $7 million deal with the Dolphins in March, can play again this season — if he clears waivers on Friday. If a team claims Barrett, he’ll be ineligible to play this season.

“We appreciate the Dolphins giving Shaq this opportunity to continue his career in the NFL,” agent Drew Rosenhaus told Schefter. “Hopefully he will pass through waivers and become a free agent so he can play again this season. He is in great shape and would be ready to play immediately.”

Barrett caught the franchise off guard by applying for reinstatement to the NFL in late November — two days before the deadline. Miami ultimately chose not to activate Barrett, meaning they retained his rights for the 2025 season. That’s no longer the case after the release.

Adding Barrett to an edge-rusher group with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips only made sense after the team allowed Andrew Van Ginkel to walk in free agency. Van Ginkel signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings and currently ranks seventh in the NFL with 11 sacks.