Which player will be next to get an extension from the Minnesota Vikings?
By Adam Patrick
Anthony Barr – LB
If this question were to be asked after Barr’s first two seasons in the NFL, this would be an easy decision for the Vikings.
During his first two years in Minnesota, the linebacker established himself as a major disturbance for opposing offenses. Barr accumulated 7.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and one interception in his first two seasons with the Vikings.
Since 2016, however, the Minnesota linebacker has not been able to create as much havoc on the field. Despite appearing in every regular season game for the Vikings over the last two years, Barr only has a total of three sacks, one forced fumble, and no interceptions.
Stats don’t tell everything, but it is pretty easy to see that the young Minnesota linebacker provides a different value for the team’s current defense than he did during his first two seasons.
Despite his decline in numbers, Barr has still played a significant role in the Vikings’ defense evolving into one of the NFL’s best since Mike Zimmer was hired in 2014. If Minnesota were to let him leave as a free-agent in 2019, the impact of his absence would likely be tremendous.