Minnesota Vikings Restructuring Anthony Barr’s Contract

The deal could help the Vikings and get the star closer to free agency.

Jeremy Fowler from ESPN is reporting that the Vikings and LB Anthony Barr are working on restructuring his contract that would cut his $12.3 million salary in exchange for ending his contract in 2022 making him eligible for free agency much sooner.

Before this renegotiation Barr had three years left on the contract that he signed with the Vikings in March 2019, but not after Barr had some thoughts about joining the New York Jets. When signed in 2019 it was a five-year, $67.5 million deal with at least $33 million guaranteed.

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Barr spent most of the 2020 COVID-19 season on in the injured reserve list after he tore his pectoral muscle during a week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts. Not having Barr last season really hurt the Vikings pass rush.

2019 was a good year for the four-time Pro Bowl linebacker with 79 tackles, 54 solo tackles, 25 assisted tackles, 1.5 sacks, and he got his first interception since 2015.

Barr celebrates his 29th birthday this week and has been a very productive member of the Vikings' defense, over his 7 years with the team he's made 423 tackles, sacked opposing quarterbacks 15 times, had two interceptions, eight forced fumbles and 26 pass breakups.

Like his dad and two uncles, Barr played college ball and moved on to the NFL, unlike his dad and uncles who all played at Notre Dame, Barr had a successful college career at UCLA. Barr was the Vikings' first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft going 9th overall.