Adam Vinatieri Rumors: Colts, Veteran Kicker 'Very Close' on 1-Year Contract
February 21, 2018
Veteran kicker Adam Vinatieri is reportedly "very close" to signing a one-year deal to remain with the Indianapolis Colts, according to Bob Kravitz of WTHR.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the 45-year-old Vinatieri planned to return for his 23rd NFL season in 2018.
Vinatieri has spent the past 12 seasons with the Colts after playing for the New England Patriots during the first 10 years of his career.
The former South Dakota State standout is one of the most decorated kickers in NFL history with three Pro Bowl nods, three All-Pro First Team selections and four Super Bowl rings.
His 337 career regular-season games played are fifth in NFL history, and he is second all-time in scoring with 2,487 points, just 57 points behind Hall of Fame kicker Morten Andersen.
Additionally, Vinatieri's field-goal percentage of 84.3 percent is 13th all-time and ninth among active kickers.
He is perhaps best known for his clutch kicks in the playoffs, including late winners to give the Patriots Super Bowl victories over the St. Louis Rams and Carolina Panthers.
Despite his advanced age, Vinatieri is still a highly productive player.
He made 29 of his 34 field-goal attempts last season and was 22-of-24 on extra-point tries for 109 points overall.
Most impressively, Vinatieri made five of his six attempts from 50 or more yards.
Provided quarterback Andrew Luck returns to the lineup for Indy in 2018 after missing all of 2017, Vinatieri may get to kick more extra points than field goals.