Change of Heart

The "legal" tampering window of NFL Free Agency 2019 was cruising along with few surprises, other than a stream of giant contracts, until Anthony Barr had a change of heart. The apparently former Minnesota Vikings linebacker had agreed to a big deal with the New York Jets on Monday. After sleeping on that decision, he decided that he didn't want to be a Jet. He wanted to remain a Viking. The thought of leaving a do-everything role in Mike Zimmer's defense to becoming an edge rusher in Gregg Williams' Jets defense apparently made him physically ill. I can see how dealing with an asshat like Williams on a daily basis can have that sort of impact. Monday was a sad day for Vikings fans. Tuesday was a happier one. 

The Jets thought that they had their new edge rusher when Barr had agreed to a big deal that would reportedly pay him about $15 million per year. That was the sort of number that the Vikings feared their linebacker would see if he hit the open market. With very limited cap room, and serious needs along the offensive line, they couldn't approach those numbers. If there was ever a chance for Barr to stay in Minnesota he would have to give the Vikings some sort of sentimental, home-town discount. After sleeping on the decision, and perhaps even becoming physically ill over the thought of playing for Williams, Barr did just that. He agreed to a deal with the Vikings that was big enough that he couldn't sign it right away. The Vikings will have to free up some cap room before the done deal is truly done. When the cap room is cleared and Barr puts pen to paper (on Thursday?) the deal will be worth $67.5 million over five years with $33 million in guaranteed money. Barr's $13.5 million/year deal is a little less than he would have received from the Jets but he's obviously happier taking a little less to stay at the only NFL home he's ever known. 

from Barr's Instagram page:

"It's been a crazy couple days, but I'm where I want to be. I believe in our lockerroom. I love my guys! Back to work!"

Big time free agent deals often work out poorly. I wonder how many would work out better if the players put more emphasis on where they truly want to be than how much they are getting paid. 

This change of heart by Barr prompted a lot of fans and "talking heads" to look back to last year when then free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins took less money than the Jets were offering to sign with the Vikings. I looked a little further back. It reminded me of the supposedly done deal that the Jets had in 2004 with free agent cornerback Antoine Winfield. I left my work thinking that Winfield to the Jets was a done deal only to arrive home and discover that Winfield to the Vikings was the real deal. A free agent spurning the Jets for the Vikings in 2004 was a beautiful thing. It's a beautiful thing now. I have nothing against the Jets. It's just a terrible coincidence. For them.