Barr wants extension from Vikings, says decision is up to team
Linebacker Anthony Barr wants to remain with the Minnesota Vikings for the foreseeable future, but a new contract is out of his control.
Barr is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2018 season, and he's hoping to get a new deal before hitting the open market next spring.
The three-time Pro Bowler has established himself as a core member of the Vikings' defense. However, he said his future in Minnesota beyond 2018 lies with the front office.
"I don't really get into the numbers. It's more about feeling valued and respected than the actual dollar amount," Barr said to Nick Shook of NFL.com.
"They kind of go hand in hand, I suppose, but I love being in Minnesota and I love my teammates. I want to be there long term. I've felt I've worked really hard, improved from my first day there to where I am now. I think I'm a totally different football player. It's not really up to me. I feel like all the work I've done so far, you've got to go off that."
Barr was the subject of controversy in 2018 after delivering a crushing hit on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, resulting in a broken collarbone for the superstar. Although it was a legal play, Barr spoke about the experience of receiving vitriol from Packers fans.
"Anytime that happens to a guy of Aaron Rodgers' caliber, obviously he's the driving force behind that franchise, that team, so the backlash, it was expected. I didn't take it personally. It comes with the territory. I didn't mean to hurt the guy. Just making a play, trying to play football the way I've known how to play it for 18 years now. It was unfortunate that he was injured. I wish it didn't happen, but it did. And you've got to move on."
"I hit Jameis Winston the same way a couple weeks prior and nobody made a sound about it," he added. "If he doesn't get injured, I don't think anybody complains about it."
Barr has been a vital piece for the Vikings since being selected ninth overall in the 2014 NFL Draft out of UCLA, logging 283 tackles and 10.5 sacks over four seasons.