Adam Vinatieri has been kicking in the NFL since Tom Brady was an unknown 19-year-old quarterback trying to fight his way up the Michigan depth chart, and the future Hall of Famer is not ready to call it a career just yet.
Bob Kravitz of WTHR reported on Wednesday that Vinatieri is finalizing a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts to return for a 23rd season in 2018.
BREAKING: Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri is very close to signing a one-year deal to remain in Indianapolis. Deal should be finalized tomorrow.
— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) February 21, 2018
Vinatieri turned 45 in December, but he proved once again that he still has plenty of leg to be an effective NFL kicker. The four-time Super Bowl champion’s overall numbers were down a bit, as he converted on 85.3 percent of his kicks. However, Vinatieri hit 5-of-6 field field goals from 50 yards or more, and his numbers were a bit skewed by having to attempt two kicks in impossible conditions in Buffalo late in the season.
No kicker in NFL history has been more clutch than Vinatieri. While he may not have quite the range he had 10 years ago, you’d still trust him in a big moment more than most kickers across the league.
