After Saints, Anthony Barr Targets Next FA Visit with NFC Club
Dustin Baker
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ESPN’s Dianna Russini tweeted Tuesday morning, “The New Orleans Saints are expected to sign both Kareem Hunt and Anthony Barr, if both players pass their physicals and are in shape, per sources.”
That turned out to be false; Hunt and Barr did not sign free-agent deals, nor did they fail physicals.
After Saints, Anthony Barr Targets Next FA Visit with NFC Club
It’s ‘on to the next one’ for Barr, 31, and that just so happens to be the Vikings most recent opponent — the New York Giants.
NFL insider Josina Andreson tweeted Wednesday on the X app, “Free agent LB Anthony Barr told me he’s currently targeting the Giants for his next visit. The sides are working on scheduling a firm date. Additionally, Barr did pass his physical with the Saints earlier, but added he’d like to visit more teams before making his decision.”
Barr last played for the Dallas Cowboys, the Giants foremost rival.
The Vikings selected Barr to start the Mike Zimmer era in the 2014 NFL Draft — the very first draft pick, in fact — and he played 98 games in eight seasons for the Vikings, attending four Pro Bowls from 2015 to 2018. From 2020 to 2021, Barr missed 63% of all football games for the Vikings, and Minnesota’s defense declined accordingly.
After leaving the Vikings following the end of the 2021 season, Barr latched onto the aforementioned Cowboys, where he registered a 59.7 grade from Pro Football Focus while playing 609 defensive snaps, a worthwhile amount.
If Barr ultimately signs with the Giants when his free-agent tour is complete, he’d join this group of off-ball linebackers:
- Bobby Okereke
- Darrian Beavers
- Carter Coughlin
- Micah McFadden
- Cam Brown
- Troy Brown
- Dyontae Johnson
In his nine-season career, Barr has tabulated 553 total tackles, 48 QB hits, 41 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, and five interceptions. He was also nominated for a Humanitarian Award at the ESPYs last summer but lost to former MLBer Albert Pujols. The Giants defense ranked 28th per EPA/Play in 2022, so New York needs all the help and depth it can find.
The Giants defensive line coach is Andre Patterson, who defensively coordinated Barr in 2020 and 2021. New York also has two former Vikings and Barr teammates, Tashaun Bower (EDGE) and Wyatt Davis (OG), on the current roster.
Brian Daboll’s team is expected to win 7.5 games in 2023, according to sportsbooks.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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