Back to the Minnesota Vikings Newsfeed

Anthony Barr's hit on Aaron Rodgers would be penalty this season

While the NFL's new rules for the 2018 season will mean Packers fans have to hear "Dez caught it," Vikings fans will undoubtedly hear "Anthony Barr's hit was illegal."

In a briefing with reporters on new NFL rules and points of emphasis for the 2018 season, referee Pete Morelli said the hit Barr delivered to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers last Oct. 15 — which broke Rodgers' right collarbone and caused him to miss nine games last season — would now be a penalty, under Rule 12, Article 9 of the NFL's rule book that prevents defenders from landing on a quarterback with all or most of their body weight while the quarterback is in a defenseless position.