National Football League

Vikings, veteran LB Greenway agree to restructured deal

Published Mar. 28, 2015 1:40 p.m. ET

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Chad Greenway will reach his 10th season for the Minnesota Vikings.

Greenway and the team agreed to a restructured contract for for the veteran linebacker, which will pay Greenway a $3.4 million base salary and includes roster and workout bonuses. The contract, which has already been filed with the NFL Players Association, will save Minnesota $3.225 million against the salary cap this season.

According to ESPN's Field Yates, the restructure includes $1 million in guaranteed money for Greenway. He had expressed his desire all along to return to the Vikings, the team which made him a first-round pick (17th overall) in 2006.

"I've made that very well (known)," Greenway told FOXSportsNorth.com in February. "I understand you lose your negotiating power. Maybe you can say 'Heck with it, I don't want to be here. I'm going to go.' But I don't. If it's meant to be, its meant to be and it's going to happen. They've treated me well. They've treated our family well the whole time I've been here and I've got no reason to be a jerk to them. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work and they'll understand."

Greenway, 32, was due a $7 million base salary and was scheduled to count $8.8 million against the salary cap in the final year of his deal before the restructure.

Greenway missed time last season with broken ribs and a balky knee he would only say was "ineffective" in his last game. His streak of leading the team in tackles for six consecutive seasons was snapped, as he missed games for the first time since a knee injury wiped out his entire rookie season.

So happy for chad glad he would be back with us nexts year #skol #realstandupguy #vikings #52
— Captain Munnerlyn (@captain_41) March 28, 2015

Yet, in 12 games, Greenway finished second on the team with 93 tackles. He had one sack, seven quarterback hurries, two pass deflections and one forced fumble.

"I think Chad still has the opportunity to have a role," head coach Mike Zimmer told KFAN radio in February. "He has an opportunity to play. He's still the best linebacker at his position that we have, at this point in time. You just keep going. You can never have too many Greenways."

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