Vikings news: Anthony Barr not focused on contract extension ahead of season opener

The Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowler Anthony Barr may become a very rich man in the near future, but he's currently not focused on getting a contract extension.

The Minnesota Vikings were quite busy over the offseason working out many new contract extensions for several of their core pieces to the roster to keep a steady roster for the long haul.

However, this has yet to see Pro Bowl outside linebacker Anthony Barr work out another contract as he's currently in the fifth-year option of his rookie contract that will pay him $12.3 million for the 2018 season. With that in mind, Barr once again shelved that conversation ahead of the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, according to Chris Tomasson of The St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Here’s an Anthony Barr non-update on contract extension status. “I’m focused on San Francisco right now. All that contract stuff I’m not worried about.’’ I reminded Barr #Vikings did sign Brandon Fusco to a contract extension the day before Barr’s first game as a rookie in 2014.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) September 7, 2018

It has become quite an odd situation given that Barr has proven that he is a valuable piece to the puzzle defensively behind his steady play on the field as key part of their front seven. 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, earning a reputation as one of the top young outside linebackers in the league. Barr is also coming off a career-high 75 tackles and 1.0 sacks while playing in all 16 regular season games for the second straight year.

He has seen a few teammates on that side of the ball get new lucrative deals with linebacker Eric Kendricks inking a five-year, $50 million extension back in April. On top of that, defensive end Danielle Hunter on a five-year, $72 million contract, and wide receiver Stefon Diggs last month also on a five-year, $72 million deal.

This could all lead to the team waiting to see him continue to perform at a high level this season before handing him a lucrative extension. However, the longer this situation continues to linger the more prominent of a topic it will become around the Viking with one of their top players on an expiring deal.