Adam Vinatieri has been with the Indianapolis Colts organization ever since the signed him in 2006.
However, after a horrendous 2019 season, the 47-year-old kicker could be looking for a new team.
The Colts have two younger kickers on the roster, but Vinatieri isn’t ready to call it a career just yet.
His 2019 season was cut short and Vinatieri was placed on the injured reserve due to a knee injury.
Vinatieri would like to keep playing in the NFL in 2020, but won’t be too disappointed if he is unable to land on an NFL roster.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Vinatieri wants to return for a 25th NFL season in 2020.
Legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri told me Tuesday he wants to return for a 25th NFL season, but quarantine has slowed down his rehab following knee surgery. Not certain he’ll be healed up by the start of the season, but he’s trying. Vinatieri, 47, is a free agent.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 29, 2020
Vinatieri’s Career
Over the last 24 years, Vinatieri has become one of the best kickers in the history of the league.
He has four Super Bowl rings, three first-team All-Pro selections, and has landed himself three Pro Bowl nods as well.
Vinatieri is the NFL’s all-time leading scorer after playing 24 seasons in the league.
He wants to come back and play in the NFL next season, but he understands that there is more to life than playing football.
“If it’s not in the cards and I’m not coming back – and I’m not saying that – then, yes, I’ll be at peace,” says Vinatieri.
He’s earned himself a trip to the Hall of Fame whenever he decides to call it a career.
Vinatieri’s 2019 Season
Vinatieri has experienced some incredible moments in the league, but the 2019 season was definitely his worst year.
He missed a league-leading 14 kicks last season, six extra points (22 of 28), and eight field goals (17 of 25) before landing on the injured reserve.
The Colts went on to add rookie kicker Chase McLaughlin after he was waived by two different organizations last season.
He connected on all 11 of his extra points and 5-of-6 field goals during four games with the Colts.
The Colts gave McLaughlin a one-year extension after his strong performance to end the season.
Colts Add Rodrigo Blankenship
After the NFL Draft, the Colts signed undrafted Georgia Bulldogs kicker Rodrigo Blankenship.
The #Colts are signing Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, source said. A new home for Hot Rod.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 25, 2020
He connected on 80 of his 97 field goal attempts (81.8%) and all 200 of his extra points during his four seasons in college.
Vinatieri is still rehabbing after knee surgery and the Colts weren’t ready to commit to McLaughlin just yet.
Blankenship was looked upon as being the best kicker heading into the draft, but somehow went undrafted.
The Colts wanted to add an insurance policy in case things go wrong again in 2020.
However, this means that Vinatieri has a tough hill to climb if he wants to play for the Colts again.
Where Does Vinatieri Land in 2020?
Vinatieri hopes that he has at least one good year left in his leg.
It seems like his goal is to win a Super Bowl and ride off into the sunset.
He won’t kick for any organization that he doesn’t believe has a shot to win a championship.
It seems unlikely that Vinatieri gets another chance on the Colts in 2020.
Hopefully, he’ll get his chance on another organization after he’s done rehabbing.
He has spoken to multiple stations about a career in broadcasting, so he might decide to go that route if he doesn’t land on a team this season.
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