4 pass rushers the Vikings could sign to replace Marcus Davenport
By Adam Patrick
3. Anthony Barr
During the last two offseasons, Minnesota's new regime has parted ways with a number of longtime contributors, including linebacker Anthony Barr.
Barr and the Vikings moved on from one another after the 2021 campaign, and before the start of the 2022 regular season, he was able to land a deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
In 14 games with the Cowboys last year, including 10 starts, the former Minnesota linebacker racked up 58 tackles (two for a loss), seven pressures, four quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries, and one sack.
Despite excelling as a pass rusher in his college career at UCLA, Barr was more of a traditional linebacker during his tenure with the Vikings. But if Minnesota's current regime were to bring him back, those pass-rushing skills of his would likely have to be dusted off.
During his time with the Vikings, there were multiple offseasons in which the team experimented with using Barr as more of a pass rusher, but nothing ever came of it.
In the aggressive scheme that Minnesota currently runs under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Barr wouldn't have much of a choice. Just about everyone on the Vikings' defense gets multiple opportunities to blitz each week, so this would remain the same for Barr as well if he were to rejoin his old team.
There are always multiple former Minnesota players that fans would like to see return to the team one day, but they're typically too old and way past their prime. When it comes to Barr, though, he might actually be one of the few former Vikings players who could still make an impact for them if he were brought back.