Minnesota Vikings

Greenway hoping to re-sign with Vikings, then call it a career

Published Feb. 18, 2016 9:46 p.m. ET

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On the same day defensive end Jared Allen decided to retire at the age of 33, one of his former Minnesota Vikings teammates, who is the same age, said he isn't ready to do the same.

Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway said Thursday night that he hopes to re-sign with Minnesota and play one more season before calling it a career himself.

"I have one more year of football in me," Greenway told co-host Phil Savage and me on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

"A goal of mine was to play in one place for my whole career. I want to finish here. The biggest thing is the product I'm putting on the field and continuing to do so at a high level."

A 2006 first-round pick by the Vikings, Greenway adjusted to a lesser role last season, focused primarily on snaps during running downs. Greenway, though, still ended up playing 16 games -- starting 12 -- and playing almost 60 percent of the defensive snaps with some of his younger teammates sidelined by injury. He finished the season with 68 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a 91-yard interception return for a touchdown against San Diego in Week 3.

"I felt in 2015 I had a resurgence," Greenway said. "I also came out of last season feeling really healthy. As much as I hated it at the beginning of the season I learned to love and appreciate that role. Rather than get upset by it, I learned to embrace it and make the role my own. And honestly I had a lot of fun as a leader and captain on that team."

Greenway, who agreed to a restructured contract last season, said his re-signing isn't imminent right now and the situation will have to "play out." But he is optimistic about a deal getting done based upon postseason conversations with head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman.

"Winning first (as a team) has always been my mentality," Greenway said. "I'm not a selfish guy who wants to make every dollar I can. That would spite who I am as a person."

If he doesn't re-sign with the Vikings, Greenway said he would be welcome joining another team. Retirement is a third option.

"I'm perfectly happy and content with the career I have had," said Greenway, who is tied with Scott Studwell for the franchise record for seasons leading the team in tackles with six.

"But the reality is I'm looking for one more time."

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