Friday, 29 Mar 2024

Anthony Barr backs out of Jets deal, will return to Vikings

Anthony Barr resigned as LB of the NYJ.

The linebacker changed his mind Tuesday after reaching a verbal agreement to join the Jets on Monday and is returning to the Vikings, a source confirmed.

The Jets made Barr one of their top priorities in free agency and aggressively pursued him Monday, the first day teams could negotiate with players’ representatives. The two sides reached a deal Monday night, but Barr had second thoughts after the Vikings sweetened their offer, sources said. The Jets offered more money, but Barr ultimately preferred to remain in Minnesota, a source said.

The NFL Network reported Barr’s deal with the Vikings is for five years and $67.5 million, with $33 million in guaranteed money and $10 million more in incentives. That is an annual average value of $13.5 million. The Jets’ offer was believed to be at least $14 million a year.

Now the Jets must regroup. Their plan was to use Barr as an edge rusher, which remains a hole for them. Some of the best edge rushers have already been gobbled up in free agency. The best remaining edge rushers are former Chief Justin Houston, Ezekiel Ansah of the Lions and the Cardinals’ Markus Golden.

The Jets could divert some of the money they had earmarked for Barr toward free-agent running back Le’Veon Bell. The Jets are waiting for an answer from the star running back.

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