Anthony Barr seeks long-term extension with Minnesota Vikings
By Adam Carlson
Anthony Barr is hoping to continue his career with the Minnesota Vikings by inking a long-term contract extension with the team during the offseason.
The Minnesota Vikings surprised a lot of fans when the team selected UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr with the ninth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft instead of choosing one of the available quarterbacks.
However, with new head coach Mike Zimmer at the helm of the team and general manager Rick Spielman working together to evaluate players and add as much talent as possible to the franchise, the need for a speedy and athletic linebacker should not have been so shocking.
Now that the 2017 NFL season is in the books, the Vikings have some decisions they need to make regarding the future of Barr. He is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason unless he and the Vikings can work out a deal to keep him in Minnesota.
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Of course, keeping Barr in Minnesota could be a tough situation. The three-time Pro Bowl linebacker has started 50 games for the Vikings in his four years there, notching 254 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 19 passes defended, and 6 forced fumbles.
However, there is still a lot of hope for Barr that he can be a part of the Vikings plans going forward and expressed these feelings in a chat with the Pioneer Press.
"“I love it here,’’ Barr told the Pioneer Press. “Absolutely. I really love my teammates. I really love this team. I love the city. I could see myself being here for the future.’’"
This will all come down to the business side of things. If Barr’s agent and the team can come to a compromise on what kind of salary the linebacker deserves going forward, a deal can be worked out. But Barr doesn’t want to get too involved in the numbers and will leave that up to his agents to make sure he is secure.
"“I don’t really worry about that kind of stuff,’’ he said. “Money comes and goes, so I’ll be happy just to be secure.’’"
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Do you think the Minnesota Vikings and Anthony Barr will be able to work out a long-term deal to keep the linebacker with the franchise? Or will the two parties end up parting ways before the 2018 NFL season? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.