Anthony Barr Expected To Sign With New York Jets
NFL Insider Adam Schefter is reporting that former Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr plans to sign a deal with the New York Jets when free agency opens. The free agent linebacker was reportedly being pursued by Minnesota's division rival Detroit Lions, but it sounds like Barr will end up in the AFC.
Steam around a Barr to New York deal started to build, with 247 Sports reporting the Jets were "stepping up their efforts" to land the 26 year-old UCLA product.
Monday opened the short window of days when teams are permitted to contact players and start contract discussions prior to free agency, which officially opens on March 13. This window has started a lot of buzz around the league, as well as other roster moves for teams like the Vikings, who announced the fate of a couple notable names.
In a note on roster moves Monday, the Vikings announced they were terminating the contract of offensive lineman Mike Remmers and not picking up the contract option for safety Andrew Sendejo. The Vikings also tendered one-year contracts to safety Anthony Harris and tackle Rashod Hill, who are both restricted free agents.
As for the Barr situation, there were discussions before and during the 2018 season about his fate with the team. One of the biggest obstacles between the Vikings and Barr was a payday with a new contract Minnesota would have a hard time accommodating with the number of big contracts already on the books and the pressing need to quickly improve the offensive line.
Barr played 5 seasons with the Vikings, logging 237 tackles and 13.5 sacks in 71 games. Drafted 9th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, he earned 4 Pro Bowl appearances in his 5 years with the team.