5 players the Minnesota Vikings shouldn’t trade in 2020
By Dean Jones
Anthony Barr – LB
The Vikings have a potential out regarding Anthony Barr’s contract in 2021. Unless they receive an astronomical trade offer, then the franchise should keep him around for next season.
This is a win-win situation for Minnesota’s defense, which is going to look very different by the time OTAs are scheduled to begin. Barr knows the system well and he is a formidable pass-rusher from the outside linebacker position when he is in the mood.
After an 11th hour decision to spurn the New York Jets in favor of remaining in Minnesota last spring, Barr helped himself to 79 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception in 2019. The jury is still out on the former first-round pick regarding his overall impact, but it makes no sense to trade him at this point in time.
Releasing Barr in 2021 would see the Vikings save $7.8 million in cap space, which seems to be the more likely scenario if he underperforms during the upcoming campaign.
The 27-year-old is entering the prime of his career and he still has plenty to prove. Having the added knowledge that his contract might be cut short could spur the player on to bigger and better things.
The Vikings will need more out of Barr in 2020 if they are going to make a return to the postseason. Trading an experienced player with relatively low mileage and a good history of being durable does not seem like the sort of logical move Minnesota is going to consider in the coming weeks.