Terence Newman Plans to Return to Vikings in 2018

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Feb 2, 2018
Image courtesy of Vikings.com

Speaking with Paul Allen and Paul Charchian on KFAN radio Thursday, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terence Newman said that he plans to return for his 16th NFL season. When asked if he wants to play for the Vikings and head coach Mike Zimmer in 2018, Newman didn’t pause.

“Of course,” Newman answered. “I want to play [next season], because we made it to an NFC Championship. We fell short. We fell way short… I want to be able to have an opportunity to win a ring. It’s that simple.”

“What if the Browns [offer] $10 million a year for Terence Newman?” Allen inquired.

“Money is not an objective,” Newman responded. “I do this because I love this game. I’ve played this game since I was a little kid and we’ve played this game in the street and playgrounds and when you were playing then, you never worried about money, you know? It was just about, ‘Hey, I want to score a touchdown,’ or ‘Hey, I want to get an interception.’ I get to play this game and I get paid. There’s no better job in America for me. I get to do what I love. I get to be with a bunch of guys I respect and I have nothing but love for, and they pay you for this. If it was Cleveland, I don’t care. I love this game still. So, when I don’t love this game anymore I’ll walk away.”

Newman, 39, was a first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2003. He spent nine years in Dallas before being released in 2012. Newman signed with Cincinnati as a free agent and was a Bengal for three seasons. He then reunited with Zimmer (the defensive coordinator for most of his time in Dallas and Cincinnati) when he signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2015.

He’s been a Viking for three seasons. In 2017, Newman recorded 35 tackles, one interception and five passes defended. In 221 career games, Newman has collected 42 interceptions, 748 tackles and three interceptions for touchdowns. He has intercepted at least one pass in every one of his 15 NFL seasons.

Newman earned a 82.1 grade from Pro Football Focus for his play in the regular season, ranking him 37th out of 121 cornerbacks.

According to Football Outsiders Newman played 56.1% of the Vikings defensive snaps in 2017, fifth-most among the team’s defensive backs. Mackensie Alexander, who’s considered to be Newman’s eventual replacement, played 32.4% of snaps.

Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander and Horace Richardson (futures deal) are under contract for the Vikings in 2018. Newman, who made $3.584 million in 2017, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

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