Anthony Barr Agrees to Rookie Contract

Don’t worry about a training camp holdout from 9th overall pick Anthony Barr. The rookie linebacker and the Vikings have agreed to terms on a contract, according to ESPN’s Ben Goessling.

Barr’s deal includes $12,743,596 in total money, with a $7,588,072 signing bonus according to Goessling, a standard deal for pick No. 9.

Barr should be the Vikings fifth rookie to agree to the terms of a deal, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press reported earlier this morning that seventh round defensive tackle Shamar Stephen agreed to a rookie contract as well.

Vikings draftees that have yet to sign are quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, defensive end Scott Crichton, running back Jerick McKinnon, safety Antone Exum and linebacker Brandon Watts.

With the new CBA specifying what each draft slot is worth, negotiations on rookie contracts have become more of a formality. Teams have been moving pretty fast this year to hammer contracts out and make sure all their rookies can be on the field for training camp.

For instance, the Chicago Bears 2014 draft class is already completely signed.

The Vikings are moving a lot faster on their rookie deals this year compared to last, because in 2013 the Vikings top pick, Shariff Floyd, didn’t sign his contract until July 25.

The rest of the Vikings draft picks should have their contracts signed well before training camp. McKinnon told media members at Winter Park that he expected to have a deal done soon, and the rest of the Vikings draft picks should not be far behind.

With the new CBA, there’s almost no chance of a rookie holdout with the specified value put on each pick.

Record breaking rookie deals may be a thing of the past, but so are rookies refusing to show up to training camp due to contract demands, before ever playing an NFL snap.