Anthony Barr absent from Minnesota Vikings OTAs in final year of deal

In the final year of his contract, Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr is not attending organized team activities leading up to the 2018 NFL season.

While many members of the Minnesota Vikings have met up with teammates at organized team activities to take part in optional practices, linebacker Anthony Barr is noticeably missing from the group.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Barr is in the last year of his contract with the Vikings after having the fifth-year option on his rookie contract exercised, making his $12.306 salary for the year fully guaranteed.

Plus, that guaranteed money doesn’t include any kind of workout bonus to entice the first round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft to attend.

Recently, the Star Tribune shared comments from head coach Mike Zimmer about Barr’s absence from OTAs and said it wasn’t unexpected and they had talked about it previously.

"“He came to me (Tuesday) and said he wasn’t going to be here.” Minnesota Vikings The Viking Age 0d - 6 biggest draft steals in Minnesota Vikings history More headlines around FanSided: 1d - Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North 1d - Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take 1d - 6 Vikings who (maybe) won't make the 53-man roster in 2023 2d - Which teams could be drafting a quarterback next year? 2d - Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022 More News at The Viking Age"

However, the reason given for Barr not being with his teammates at the new Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota will remain something that Zimmer won’t be sharing with the public.

"“I don’t worry about those things. I just know the conversation we had, I’ll keep it between myself and him.”"

The speculation is that Barr’s absence may have more to do with him not receiving a long-term deal like some of his other teammates have received lately. He has watched as Linval Joseph, Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes, Eric Kendricks and others got deals, but has yet to ink one of his own.

Anthony Barr is a three-time Pro Bowl player who is highly athletic and was one of the first moves that head coach Mike Zimmer pushed for upon his arrival in Minnesota as the team’s head coach. Fans should expect the team to open negotiations (as well as their wallets) soon to lock the defender down on a multi-year deal.

Next: Projecting the Vikings' final 2018 roster (Post-draft)

For now, there shouldn’t be much concern about Barr missing Minnesota Vikings OTAs. His presence isn’t required and he is most likely is doing plenty of work away from the team to stay in playing shape and prepare for the 2018 NFL season.