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In the last few seasons, the Minnesota Vikings have put together one of the league's most stout defensive units. It's led to much success that's included an NFC Championship Game appearance a year ago.
A significant part of that puzzle on that side of the ball has been star outside linebacker Anthony Barr, who is entering the fifth-year option of his rookie deal that will pay him $12.3 million for the 2018 season.
According to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Barr has indicated to head coach Mike Zimmer that he won't be with the team in OTAs due to what appears to be concerning his current contract situation.
Anthony Barr went to Mike Zimmer yesterday and told him he wouldn’t be here at this point of offseason, according to Zimmer. Said he’ll keep conversation between the two when asked if it’s about Barr’s contract.
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) May 23, 2018
Barr has been one of the cornerstone players for the Vikings’ defense since entering the league as the ninth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. In his first four years, he has racked up 283 tackles with 10.5 sacks and six forced fumbles while earning three Pro Bowl selections. His play would seem to suggest that he will be in line for a lucrative contract extension at some point this offseason in order to avoid possibly losing him next March in free agency.
The 26-year-old has been quite clear that he is hoping to garner a new long-term deal with the franchise in order to remain with them over the next several years. The team appears to be on the upswing with a solid core group of players on both sides of the ball that could see them take it a step further than the NFC Championship game this past season.
This could simply be a matter of time before the Vikings having a new extension in place to keep one of their primary assets defensively in the fold under a contract that his play on the field up to this point of his career would warrant getting presented his way.
