EAGAN, Minn. -- Linebacker Anthony Barr is planning to retire after spending most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, he announced on social media Tuesday.
Barr, 33, last played in 2023.
"For the past 25 years, football has been at the center of my life," Barr wrote in his post on Instagram. "I've dedicated myself fully to the game, and in return, it has given me more than I could've ever imagined -- lifelong memories, unbreakable bonds, and a platform to grow, lead, and inspire."
The Vikings made Barr the No. 9 overall pick of the 2014 draft, their first selection after hiring defensive-minded Mike Zimmer as their head coach. Barr fit the type of versatile off-ball linebacker Zimmer considered essential for his scheme.
He burst onto the scene as a rookie with 4 sacks, 70 tackles and 3 fumble recoveries -- including one he returned for a touchdown -- in 12 games. Despite struggling through multiple injuries over his tenure, Barr played in 98 games over 10 seasons with the Vikings from 2014-21.
Over his career, he totaled 554 tackles, forced eight fumbles and intercepted five passes in 116 games.
The Vikings fired Zimmer after the 2021 season, and Barr moved on to spend 2022 with the Dallas Cowboys. He returned to Minnesota late in the 2023 season, appearing in four games, and did not play in 2024.
