In a shocking turn of events for the Miami Dolphins defense, former Pro Bowler Shaquil Barrett announced his retirement from the NFL, leaving a major void in the team’s defensive lineup. Barrett, a two-time Super Bowl champion, had signed with Miami just months before his sudden retirement, leaving the Dolphins scrambling to find a replacement on the defensive line less than a week before the start of training camp.
With little time to waste, the Dolphins wasted no time in hosting a workout for two top free agent defensive ends – Yannick Ngakoue and Emmanuel Ogbah. According to Miami Herald staff writer Barry Jackson, these two experienced players were considered the best options available on the market. Ngakoue and Ogbah were the only confirmed names scheduled to work out with Miami, although other potential candidates such as Carl Lawson, Charles Harris, and Mike Purcell were also available if needed.
Ogbah, an eight-year veteran pass rusher, had garnered significant interest from multiple teams during free agency. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, mentioned that Ogbah was looking to return to a 4-3 defensive scheme, which could potentially be a good fit under new Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Despite being cut earlier this year, Ogbah still had the opportunity to revisit his contract with Miami and potentially negotiate a better long-term deal.
On the other hand, Ngakoue has been on quite the journey in the NFL, playing for six different teams in the past five seasons. The pass rusher, who tallied 22 total tackles and four sacks with the Chicago Bears last season, has an impressive resume with 69 career sacks, including multiple double-digit sack seasons. Ngakoue, a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, was a key player in their playoff runs but has since struggled to find a long-term fit with any team.
The Dolphins find themselves in a precarious position as they scramble to fill the void left by Barrett’s retirement. With training camp approaching quickly, the team will need to make a decision on which free agent defensive end to sign in order to bolster their defensive line. The search for a replacement for Barrett continues as Miami looks to solidify their defense for the upcoming season.
