Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks, both mainstay linebackers for the Vikings, are returning to the Vikings for 2020, barring a trade or anything unexpected.
Same goes for the safety position with Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith. However, after that, the defensive depth chart starts to look a lot different than it once did.
Defensive end Everson Griffen has yet to sign anywhere, but he announced on Instagram that he would be leaving Minnesota this offseason. The Vikings also lost defensive tackle Linval Joseph in free agency.
Then, there’s the cornerback position. Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes and Mackensie Alexander all signed with other teams this offeason.
Barr is a familiar face on a defense that is now lacking some. He addressed this with NFL Network’s NFL NOW recently. Here’s what he said:
“I think, at least for myself and some of the other guys who have been there, kind of know what to expect,” Barr said. “Obviously, we have a lot of new bodies, especially on the back end, some younger guys. It will be important to try to get on the same page. Without OTAs (and offseason workouts), I think that’s going to be the biggest hurdle for us, is just the communication part, trying to get everybody to hear voices on the field is so important. You’re communicating so much play to play, and that process is really built and that communication and trust is really built in the offseason. So, without having that time spent with those guys, it’s going to be a true challenge. But I think we have some pretty strong leaders on our defense, especially. I think we are going to be capable of bridging that gap in terms of the communication.”
If Barr can help the younger players get acclimated, that can bode well for the Vikings actually upgrading at certain defensive positions. Will that happen? We’ll have to see.
