Another Beloved Former Viking Hangs It Up
Say it ain’t so. Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr is the latest ex-Viking to send in retirement papers, ending his 10-season NFL career this week.
Another beloved Vikings player is calling it quits. His retirement adds to a growing list of former purple players who’ve officially hung up their cleats.
Minnesota drafted Barr in Round 1 in 2014, and barring a change of heart sometime down the road, the ferocious off-ball linebacker has completed his career in the pros.
Yet Another Ex-Viking Is Ready for His Next Chapter
It’s the third like-minded retirement in the last two weeks.
Anthony Barr to Retire
That’s a wrap for Barr, who served as a focal point of former MIN skipper Mike Zimmer’s defense for eight years.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote Tuesday, “Linebacker Anthony Barr is planning to retire after spending most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, according to a social media post from his Raise the Barr organization. Barr, 33, last played in 2023. He has not yet commented on the decision.”
“The Vikings made Barr the No. 9 overall pick of the 2014 draft, their first selection after hiring defensive-minded Mike Zimmer as their head coach. Barr fit the type of versatile off-ball linebacker Zimmer considered essential for his scheme.”
Via Barr’s Foundation, Raise the Barr, a spokesperson noted on Instagram: “From the start, he used his platform not just to play, but to build Raise The Barr, turning his success on the field into real impact for families like his. While his football days are coming to a close, Anthony will remain focused on the mission, because the families counting on us need support now more than ever.”
“This August, as we honor his legacy and welcome new scholars, we’re focused on Building New Opportunities. Soon, we’ll be announcing a special way to give in his honor. Stay tuned to find out more!”
His NFL Career, Summarized
Minnesota used its ninth overall pick on Barr in 2014, the very beginning of the Zimmer era. In fact, Barr’s first stint in Minnesota precisely aligned with Zimmer — in for the 2014 campaign, out after 2021.
Here’s his official NFL resume with his career in the books:
- Minnesota Vikings (2014–2021)
- Dallas Cowboys (2022)
- Minnesota Vikings (2023)
Barr didn’t play in 2024, but logged a 59.7 Pro Football Focus grade for the Cowboys in 2022 when he still filled a semi-part-time starter’s role.
In 116 total games since 2014, Barr tallied 554 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 48 quarterback hits, 8 forced fumbles, and 5 interceptions. The man is also a four-time Pro Bowler, getting the nod from voters successively from 2015 to 2018 — the peak of his powers.
Time in Minnesota
Barr did most of his damage in Minnesota, banking 496 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, and 17.5 sacks. He served as a true staple of the Zimmer Experience, specializing in off-ball linebacking duties, pass coverage, and stuffing the run, while thriving occasionally when Zimmer would send him after quarterbacks.
What’s more, coming out of UCLA, many fans thought Barr would take on an EDGE role — like a defensive end. That only transpired once in a while.
Barr returned to Minnesota during the 2023 campaign, a surprising midseason addition, but through no fault of his own, the relationship quickly devolved into a Vikings losing streak.
Ex-Vikings Dropping like Flies
Last month, another ex-Vikings off-ball linebacker, Jordan Hicks, retired after the Cleveland Browns had him penciled in on the 2025 depth chart as a starter. Hicks played for the purple team in 2022 and 2023, starting his career in Philadelphia the year after Barr turned pro.
And a few days ago, another Vikings player, Latavius Murray, a running back, hung up his cleats.
Zimmer-era players are fading fast, a natural circumstance.
Janik Eckardt on Barr
Our own Janik Eckardt opined on Barr’s NFL exit this week: “Barr has dealt with some knee issues for a while, and at the age of 33, he is done playing football. The linebacker last played in the NFL in 2023, wearing a Vikings uniform. Jordan Hicks was forced to sit out some games, and as the franchise was a linebacker short, Barr was ready to provide some depth.”
“He ultimately appeared in four games and logged one tackle, wearing the number 54, which was previously worn by his college and Vikings teammate Eric Kendricks. Barr has been used differently in the NFL than in college, where he was a pass-rusher.”
Vikings fans will universally remember Barr in a positive light.
Eckardt added, “Under Zimmer, he was an off-ball linebacker, and he was a pretty good one, playing in the Pro Bowl four straight times from 2015 to 2018. In 102 games with the purple team, Barr recorded 496 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, and 17.5 sacks.”
“After his first departure, Barr played over 600 snaps for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, but he was let go in the following offseason. The Vikings were his next and final stint in the league. Barr didn’t play in 2024.”
Barr turned 33 back in March.
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