According to NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo, Anthony Barr will remain a member of the Minnesota Vikings, spurning a deal with the New York Jets.
The Anthony Barr era lasted less than 24 hours in New York.
The linebacker originally reported to be en route to the New York Jets, will instead remain with the Minnesota Vikings, per NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo.
Plot twist! LB Anthony Barr has decided to agree to terms to remain with the #Vikings, sources say. He will not be a member of the #Jets after all.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 12, 2019
Financial terms and years attached to Barr’s new Vikings deal have yet to be disclosed.
Barr, set to turn 27 next week, has tallied 338 tackles and 13.5 sacks over five seasons with the Vikings. He joined the team as their first-round pick back in 2014, chosen ninth overall. The UCLA alum was expected to provide the Jets with a bit of a jolt in their pass rush.
The Jets did manage to score themselves an early consolation prize this morning, as it was reported that they are set to sign Baltimore Ravens All-Pro linebacker C.J. Mosley to a five-year, $85 million contract. As was the case with Barr, the deal cannot be made official prior to the league’s official new year opening at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday afternoon.
Jets fans can gain further consolation in a report from Ian Rapoport, also of NFL Network. According to Rapoport, the Jets used some of the money dedicated to the dead Barr deal and added it to a potential offer to Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell.
With Anthony Barr spurning the #Jets, they have some extra money. I’m told they’ve taken some of that money and made a last and final big offer to Le’Veon Bell. It’s decision time for the ex-#Steelers RB.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2019
Obviously, it hurts to lose Barr after it appeared to be a done deal. But if the Jets can pivot and put that money to good use, it won’t be the end of the world.
[UPDATE: 2:05 p.m. ET]: According to Rapoport, Barr’s new Minnesota deal is five years and worth $67.5 million. Incentives could up that number to $77.5 million, while $33 million is guaranteed.
