EAGAN, Minn. — Anthony Barr is staying in Minnesota.
The Vikings linebacker, who was scheduled to become a free agent Wednesday afternoon, has agreed to terms on a new contract with the team that drafted him. Per team policy, the Vikings did not announce contract details.
Barr was Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer's first draft pick back in 2014 when the linebacker was the ninth overall pick in the first round.
Barr has been to four Pro Bowls in his five seasons in Minnesota and has made 71 starts. He has 309 total tackles (according to team stats) with 31 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, one interception, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in his career in Purple.
He will turn 27 years old on Monday.
Barr made 13 starts and recorded 71 total tackles (according to team stats) in 2018. All of his 3.0 sacks occurred in the final four games of the season. He also had eight tackles for loss and a forced fumble as he made his fourth straight Pro Bowl.
In addition to being a vital piece of a defense that has ranked in the top 10 in points allowed per game in four of the past five seasons, Barr is also a fixture in the Twin Cities community.
Barr constantly gives his time, effort and financial help to **The Jeremiah Program**, which helps provide financial assistance for higher education and childcare to single mothers.
Barr, who was raised by a single mother, routinely pops into the program's facility on his off days to spend time with children of single moms. The drive to help single-parent families prompted Barr to establish his **Raise the Barr Foundation**.
Take a look at photos of Vikings LB Anthony Barr from the 2018 season. As the first player drafted under head coach Mike Zimmer, Barr has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the last four seasons.
In February, Barr and his mother, Lori, were guest speakers at the Aspen Forum on Children and Families.
When Zimmer was asked about Barr during his media availability at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, the head coach said, "Anthony was my No. 1 pick as a head coach, right? I love him as far as the things he does for our organization and the football team.
"If Barr gets paid $18 million, we probably ain't going to have him," Zimmer added. "But if it's a reasonable deal? I think Anthony would love to be here, too."
