BEHIND BARRETT’S DECISION.

The Dolphins had to expect having to put three outside linebackers on PUP to start training camp this week, but veteran Shaquil Barrett threw them a nasty curveball on Saturday. The former NFL sack leader has informed the team he will retire instead of continuing his NFL career, this coming almost exactly four months after he signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins.

“It’s time for me to hang it up,” Barrett wrote under his Instagram username moochman6. “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 helping them realize their dreams and catch em. Anyone who caught their dreams before know 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 to some it’ll be a surprise but I’ve been thinking about this for a while and the decision has never been more clear than it is now.” Of course, we’ll never fault a player for doing what’s best for him, but it’s also fair to wonder why Barrett couldn’t have made that decision before he signed with the Dolphins and not four days before veterans are scheduled to report to training camp.

It’s not quite as egregious as Ricky Williams abruptly retiring in 2004 the night before training camp was to start, but this is not great either. Of course, it’s possible he told the Dolphins from the start this was a possibility, though it’s probably not likely. In any event, the need another option at Barrett’s old position.