43-year-old Adam Vinatieri wants to play ‘a couple’ more seasons

Adam Vinatieri has made clutch kicks in the NFL for 20 years. While his contemporaries have already left the game, the Indianapolis Colts place kicker hopes to stick around for 2016 and beyond.

“Not only a season, but Lord willing, a couple of years,” Vinatieri said to the IndyStar about how long he wishes to keep playing. “There will come a time when it’s over for me. I don’t think that time is yet. I enjoy playing. I enjoy doing my thing.”

At 43, Vinatieri ranks as the oldest player in the NFL today. He also hits the free agent market later this offseason after completing his 10th year with the Colts. Though quite advanced in age by football standards, Vinatieri has actually improved his play over the past few seasons. The place kicker converted 94.8 percent of his attempts since the start of the 2014 season, the best two-year mark of his career. Vinatieri also still has enough leg for longer kicks, nailing a 55-yard attempt just this past season.

Vinatieri built his reputation with the New England Patriots with some of the most clutch kicks in NFL history. His 45-yard field goal in the snow during the infamous “Tuck Rule Game” and game-winner in Super Bowl XXXVI helped create the New England dynasty that continues today. Vinatieri also kicked game winners in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Depending on how long Vinatieri continues playing, he could finish his career with several records. His 2,253 career points trail only Gary Anderson (2,434) and Morten Anderson (2,544) in league history. Vinatieri currently ranks sixth in games played, with 306. He also needs just one playoff appearance to tie for most postseason games, though the top mark belongs to former teammate and active player Tom Brady.

If somehow Vinatieri plays five more seasons, he could match former Oakland Raiders quarterback/kicker George Blanda for oldest player ever to suit up in the NFL. Blanda played his final season at age 48.