12:55 P.M. UPDATE
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting Barr’s deal with the Vikings to be for five years and $67.5 million, including $33 million guaranteed. Incentives could boost the total value of the agreement to $77.5 million.
The #Vikings are signing LB Anthony Barr to a 5-year deal worth $67.5M, source said. With incentives it can be worth $77.5M. He gets $33M in guarantees. And back home.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2019
The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling reports that Minnesota has pitched a restructured contract to defensive end Everson Griffen to help clear cap space this year to pay for Barr, but it’s unclear what the restructured deal is or if Griffen will be interested.
Griffen is due a base salary of $10.9 million in 2019.
NOON UPDATE
Anthony Barr is amidst a sensational u-turn, having reportedly rejected the offer from the New York Jets and intends to return to the Minnesota Vikings.
That’s according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garofalo, who says the linebacker has had a change of heart having mulled the move since Monday.
After mulling this since yesterday, Anthony Barr called the #Jets to say he's out, then called the #Vikings to say he's in. Sources say there's still work to do on Barr's contract in Minnesota, but this is expected to happen. Stability for Barr and Mike Zimmer's D.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2019
With regard to how the Vikings would pay for a new Anthony Barr deal … they've submitted a restructured contract offer to Everson Griffen that would clear cap space. It remains to be seen where those talks will go, but that'd be the logical move.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) March 12, 2019
What’s more, the Vikings are set to lose backup running back Latavius Murray, who is set to agree a deal with the New Orleans Saints.
Saints are giving former Vikings’ RB Latavius Murray a four-year, $14.4 million deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2019
Tuesday 7:30 a.m.
Two of the Vikings’ key defensive players from 2018 have found new teams.
According to reports, outside linebacker Anthony Barr has agreed to terms on a contract with the New York Jets, and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson will be signing with the Cleveland Browns.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report both verbal agreements, which can be formally signed as contract when the NFL free agency period begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Former Vikings’ DT Sheldon Richardson intends to sign a three-year deal with the Cleveland Browns when free agency opens Wednesday, a source tells ESPN.
Cleveland’s opening-day front four now expected to be DE Myles Garrett, DT Larry Ogunjobi, Richardson and DE Emmanuel Ogbah.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2019
Barr’s deal with the Jets apparently comes with some trust that he’ll be used more as an edge rusher, something he wasn’t asked to do very often in Minnesota.
“My understanding is that Anthony Barr, an off-ball LB in Minnesota, will be used the way he was at UCLA, meaning more of an edge player,” tweeted ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
Barr went to the Pro Bowl four times in Mike Zimmer’s defense, but he’ll likely rack up more sacks with the Jets.
The loss of Richardson, who signed a one-year deal with the Vikings a year ago, will be absorbed by the signing of defensive tackle Shamar Stephen. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that Stephen will sign a three-year deal.
Minnesota drafted Stephen in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played four seasons with the Vikings before signing with the Seahawks in 2018.
Vikings radio play-by-play announcer Paul Allen believes Stephen will immediately improve Minnesota’s rush defense.
Assuming Shamar Stephen news is accurate the #Vikings run defense just improved immensely. Shamar's work against the run is terrific. #Vikings
— Paul Allen (@PAOnTheMic) March 12, 2019
The Vikings also released right guard Mike Remmers and terminated the contract of safety Andrew Sendejo on Monday, so the last 24 hours have formalized the reality that general manager Rick Spielman has to find at least four new starters at key positions.
