Anthony Barr declares free agency options “open”

With just over 3,000 votes having been cast in our poll from yesterday, less than a quarter of Minnesota Vikings fans would bring back linebacker Anthony Barr in 2019 over defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson or letting both of those players walk. For his part, Barr certainly appears to be open to the possibility of moving on.

In speaking with TMZ. . .yes, I know. . .Barr said that he loves Minnesota, but will be signing wherever he thinks he has the best fit.

Barr has often said that he plays better going forward than going backward, and presumably that means he’d be happier playing in a scheme that would see him doing more rushing the passer than playing in coverage. Since coming to Minnesota, he’s been an outside linebacker in the team’s 4-3 base defense, and the talk that he would spend more time going after the quarterback (and even spending some time as a defensive end) never really materialized in 2018.

Barr is likely going to command a very big contract this offseason, and if he would like to take his talents to a team that will allow him to do that, even if that’s as a 3-4 outside linebacker type, he would be able to do that. At this point, I’m not sure how optimistic I’d be about #55 coming back to Minnesota next year. But, there’s a lot that can happen between now and mid-March when the new league year starts.