by Niles Carpenter/Saints Contributor

After a workout with the New Orleans Saints, free agent linebacker Anthony Barr is carefully considering his next steps as he weighs his options for the upcoming NFL season. Insider Josina Anderson reported that Barr has the New York Giants on his radar for his next potential visit. While Barr successfully completed his physical with the Saints, he expressed his desire to explore opportunities with more teams before committing to a decision.

Barr’s football journey has been marked by his time with the Minnesota Vikings, where he spent eight seasons after being drafted as a first-round pick in 2014. The veteran linebacker joined the Dallas Cowboys for the 2022 season, contributing to the team with 58 combined tackles and a sack in 14 starts. With four Pro Bowl selections under his belt, including one in the 2018 season, Barr’s experience and skillset are in high demand as he contemplates his next destination.

As Barr ponders his options, the Saints find themselves navigating a linebacker depth challenge. With starter Demario Davis sidelined due to a calf injury and reserve linebacker Andrew Dowell out for the season after tearing his ACL, the Saints’ coaching staff is managing the team’s defensive lineup. Saints coach Dennis Allen remains optimistic about Davis’ recovery, indicating that while the injury isn’t expected to be long term, the team is closely monitoring his progress. Barr’s potential addition could provide a much-needed boost to the Saints’ linebacker corps, injecting experience and versatility into their defensive strategies for the upcoming season.