Anthony Barr to stay with Minnesota after turning down New York Jets
Tuesday 12 March 2019 19:32, UK
Pro Bowl linebacker Anthony Barr had a change of heart overnight and will remain with the Minnesota Vikings, according to multiple reports Tuesday.
As of Monday night, Barr reportedly was set to sign with the New York Jets on Wednesday, but he called the team Tuesday to tell them he was out, according to NFL Network.
He was still working out the details of his new contract with the Vikings, who are expected to lose free agent defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson to the Cleveland Browns.
Barr has spent all five of his NFL seasons with Minnesota, earning Pro Bowl nods in each of the past four years. He has started all of his 71 career games, making 338 tackles, including 30 for loss and 13.5 sacks.
Barr was the ninth overall pick in the 2014 draft out of UCLA, where he made 23.5 sacks in his final two seasons. He hasn't reached those kind of sack numbers in the NFL - his season-high is four, set in his rookie season - but Minnesota has used him as an all-around edge defender and not in a dedicated pass-rushing role.
Barr made 55 tackles, including three sacks, in 13 games last season, when he played on a $12.3 million team option.
