Zimmer: Vikings trying to sign Barr long term

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer revealed Friday the team is trying to keep standout linebacker Anthony Barr in the fold long term.

"We're trying to get him signed," Zimmer told reporters, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "Hopefully, we can. That's between upstairs (front office) and his people. We'd love to have him here. Like I said, he's my guy, first guy I drafted. I want him to get the best deal he can possibly get, but in a selfish way I want him to be here, too."

The Vikings have locked up a number of core players since the end of last season, but Barr, who's entering the final year of his rookie deal, isn't one of them.

There's been speculation, given the money Minnesota has tied up in other players, that the Vikings could dangle Barr in trade talks. Zimmer said his club isn't looking to move the three-time Pro Bowler and denied any rumors claiming the contrary.

"I was made aware of an erroneous report about Anthony Barr," he said. "Anthony is my guy. No. 1, we are unequivocally not trying to trade Anthony. He was my first draft pick we have ever had with me. He's helped this defense go from 32nd or 31st or whatever it is to being pretty good, and so there's no, none whatsoever, truth to that rumor."

Barr said in June he was hoping to ink a contract extension with the Vikings, but added that the decision was up to the team. The 26-year-old piled up 75 tackles and a sack in 16 regular-season outings last season.

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