The Dallas Cowboys and former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr have agreed to terms on a one-year contract.
The 30-year-old spent eight years with the Vikings, making four straight Pro Bowls from 2015-18. Last season, he started 11 games, recording 72 tackles, three interceptions and 2.5 sacks.
The move reunites Barr with Cowboys senior defensive analyst George Edwards, who was Minnesota’s defensive coordinator from 2012-19 and works with Dallas’ linebackers. The amount of money included in the deal is unknown.
This is a quality signing for the Cowboys that strengthens their depth at the linebacker position. After Micah Parsons, no one remarkably stood out amongst the group. Leighton Vander Esch could depart after this season, Damone Clark is injured and we don’t know what we truly have in Jabril Cox right now.
While Barr isn’t a signing that will be a game-changer, he does add much-needed experience to Dallas’ linebacker corps. He brings value as a solid, weak-side linebacker that can contribute when healthy.
Barr operates more as a traditional linebacker and will be relied upon for run defense and coverage, the former being what the Cowboys lacked from its linebackers last season. When he gets his chance to rush the passer, he’s also productive there, notching a 72.3 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus.
The only concern is if he can stay healthy. Barr played just two games in 2020, missed six in 2021 and hasn’t played an entire season since 2017. But because he won’t be counted on to be the No. 1 linebacker, the risk of not having him for a few games isn’t as significant.
It’s never a bad idea to bring in quality depth. You can never have enough of it. On top of that, he’s still capable of making plays and brings a veteran presence to a mostly young group of linebackers.
