Minnesota Vikings

Terence Newman: "I think this will be my last year"

Published May. 1, 2018 9:14 p.m. ET

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Only time will tell how sweet Terence Newman's 16th season in the NFL turns out to be.

The oldest active defensive player in the league is almost certain, though, it will be his last.

"You have to figure out something else that you want to do, once you get to my age," Newman said on a conference call with Minnesota reporters on Tuesday, the day after re-upping with the Vikings. "I think this will be my last year. No matter what happens, this will be it for me."

Newman, who will turn 40 just five days before Minnesota's season opener, has given head coach Mike Zimmer and the Vikings plenty of value for the series of low-risk one-year contracts they have signed him to.

He has missed only one game in his first three seasons in purple, providing immeasurable guidance for the younger pupils in the secondary while capably playing as one of the top three cornerbacks on the team.