Chad Greenway and the Minnesota Vikings came to an agreement on a contract that brings back the veteran linebacker for one more season. Greenway is on vacation in Mexico with his family but let his feelings be known.
"Nobody is more excited than me to lead this team one more time! Dream achieved, going out a Viking! #Skol."
It sure sounds like the 2016 season will be his final season. Here's hoping that it's a very successful season.
Chad Greenway was the Vikings first round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. His rookie season came to a sudden end before it even started when he tore his ACL in the first preseason game. He stepped into the starting lineup in 2007 and hasn't left it. Greenway has been a Vikings defensive cornerstone for the past decade. It's only right that he finishes his NFL career in Minnesota. He's been more part time player the past couple of seasons. That's due to the Vikings being in a nickel defense so damn much to keep pace with the constant passing of today's offenses. It's also due to the incredible linebacker talent that is Anthony Barr and the development of Eric Kendricks. Those are the two linebackers that are on the field in the nickel. Greenway makes it a trio in the base defense. Although he will face some competition for that starting role from free agent addition Emmanuel Lamur. Despite being new to the team Lamur has actually spent more time in head coach Mike Zimmer's defense than any player on the roster. Make that any player not named Terence Newman but he's not in the linebacker room. In his last season Greenway will face strong competition for a role in the starting lineup probably for the first time in his NFL career. I think that he's well aware of that and will be up for it.
On and off the field, Chad Greenway's role on the Minnesota Vikings goes beyond what is seen on Sundays, Mondays, or Thursdays. He's a leader and mentor to a young team, a young defense, and a very young linebacker group. What he means to his teammates was probably best seen on his biggest play of last season. He returned an interception of San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers 92 yards for a touchdown. He was escorted all 92 yards by ten teammates on the field. At least as many teammates escorted him on the sideline. The reaction of his teammates was nearly as exciting as the play itself. The Vikings are a better football team with Chad Greenway as a part of it. It's great to have him back.
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