Anthony Barr Could Soon Have a New NFL Home
The Minnesota Vikings have experienced dramatic roster change in the last few offseasons, transforming the depth chart on the fly in favor of youthful and affordable players.
Anthony Barr Could Soon Have a New NFL Home
Anthony Barr was a byproduct of the philosophy, ending his tenure with the Vikings after the 2021 season. And the 31-year-old free agent might have a new place of employment before too long — the New Orleans Saints.
ESPN’s Dianna Russini tweeted on the X app Monday morning, “The Saints are not only working out running back Kareem Hunt, they are also working out linebacker Anthony Barr today, per source.”
Barr last played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022.
Drafted by Minnesota in 2014 at the start of the Mike Zimmer era, Barr played 98 games in eight seasons for the Vikings, recording 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 suffered accordingly. In Barr’s first six seasons, the Vikings defense ranked #1 in the NFL per defensive EPA/Play. From 2020 to 2021 — largely without the services of Danielle Hunter and Barr — the franchise sunk to 23rd in the same metric.
Barr tallied a 59.7 grade from Pro Football Focus in Dallas last year while playing 609 defensive snaps, a worthwhile amount.
If he signs a contract in New Orleans, he’ll join this batch of off-ball linebackers:
- Demario Davis
- Peter Werner
- Zack Baun
- D’Marco Jackson
- Ty Summers
- Nephi Sewell
- Ryan Connelly
- Anfernee Orji
- Nick Anderson
All told in his nine-year career, Barr has registered 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. The Saints defense ranked 10th per EPA/Play in 2022, so Barr would join a productive group, at least on paper.
When the Vikings hired Kevin O’Connell in February 2022, the new coach went out of his way to compliment the 30-year-old linebacker at an introductory press conference. But that was really the last mention of a Barr-Vikings reunion. Barr said goodbye to Vikings fans on Instagram after the 2021 regular season ended, and he ultimately wasn’t kidding about the impending departure.
The Saints also employ former Vikings Jake Bargas (TE/FB), Ryan Connelly (LB), and Storm Norton (OT).
Minnesota hosts New Orleans at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 12th.
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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