The intangibles that make Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr a coveted teammate and sounding board for coaches gain importance as the 29-year-old Pro Bowler recently came to the realization he's "one of the older dudes now" in a locker room under transformation.
To avoid being the latest longtime Vikings defender shown the door this spring, Barr accepted a $2.9 million pay cut in a restructured contract that sets up what could be his final season in Minnesota. He can now become a free agent in 2022. Barr said he agreed to the pay cut to ensure his last Vikings play wasn't a September tackle resulting in a season-ending torn pectoral muscle.