Linebacker Anthony Barr is expected to sign a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings, after initially planning to sign with the New York Jets. Barr spent the first five seasons of his career with the Vikings. He was playing under the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, earning $12.3 million.
After telling the Jets he intended to sign with them, Anthony Barr got cold feet, changed his mind and informed the Vikings that he will be returning to Minnesota, as @MikeGarafolo reported.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2019
Anthony Barr Inks Deal With Minnesota Vikings
The 26-year old Barr is coming off of his fourth-consecutive Pro Bowl season. He recorded 55 tackles (39 solo), eight tackles for loss and 3 sacks and a forced fumble. Per Pro Football Focus, it was his highest-graded season since 2015, when he totaled 68 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. Barr missed three games with an injured hamstring and was utilized more as a pass-rusher when he returned, notching all of his sacks over two games. His 13.8 pass-rushing productivity grade was the highest for linebackers in 2018. But he had mixed results against the pass in general. He did not give up many yards per play but did allow a 125.3 passer rating and three touchdowns in his coverage.
Prior to 2018, Barr played in 16 games in two consecutive seasons but missed four games his rookie season and two games the following year. He has 338 total tackles (237 solo), 13.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles (four recoveries), one interception and one touchdown. He also has 30 tackles for loss and 31 quarterback hits.
Barr was born and raised in Los Angeles and attended Loyola High School in the Pico-Union area. The Vikings selected Barr in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2014 NFL draft out of UCLA. The linebacker started his college career playing running back, wide receiver, and tight end his first two seasons. He switched to the defensive side in 2012 and recorded 83 tackles (21.5 for loss), and 13.5 sacks. He was named to the All-Pac 12 first-team and CBSSports.com named him a second-team College Football All-American. Barr returned for his senior season and posted 61 tackles (20 for loss), 10 sacks, and five forced fumbles (four recoveries). He finished his college career sixth in both tackles for loss (41.5) and sacks (23.5) in UCLA history.
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