Asked via text Thursday afternoon if he was leaving open the possibility of playing beyond the 2016 season, Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway typed 1,287 fewer words than tackles he has made since the Vikings selected him with the 17th overall draft pick in 2006.
"Last year."
The 33-year-old veteran agreed to a one-year deal earlier in the day. He is out of the country and will sign the contract when he returns next week. Then he will preparing for an 11th and final NFL season. Retiring as a Viking, making it to the first year in new U.S. Bank Stadium and winning a Super Bowl have been on Greenway's career bucket list. Two down and, well, we will have to wait and see what the reigning NFC North champs have to say about No. 3.
"Happy to be back," Greenway said in a text to the Star Tribune. "Career goal, and love the organization. Vikes were great through the whole process."
Because Greenway hasn't signed, the team hasn't announced the move. But Greenway did the honors via Twitter:
After taking pay cuts to remain with the Vikings in 2014 and 2015, Greenway gained some interest from other teams as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. But Greenway, a three-time Vikings Community Man of the Year in 2011, 2014 and 2015, has a young family that is entrenched in the Twin Cities. And, besides, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman stayed in contact with Greenway while coach Mike Zimmer went public with the team's desire to bring him back.
"I love Chad," Zimmer said in January. "I hope things work out for him. He's a great Viking. I think his leadership is immense in the locker room, especially with a young football team. I think he took active ownership in the role that he had this year, so I hope it works out. He's always going to be one of my kind of guys."
On the field, the two-time Pro Bowler has had one of the more productive and durable careers in franchise history. After missing his rookie season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered while covering a kickoff in his first preseason game, Greenway has missed only four games — all of them in 2014 — over the past nine seasons.
Last year, it was the 32-year-old Greenway who played every game while second-year outside linebacker Anthony Barr and rookie middle linebacker Eric Kendricks each missed two games because of injuries. Greenway lost his job in the nickel defense to the younger Kendricks but ended up playing about 60 percent of the defensive snaps after stepping in for the injured Kendricks in the nickel and base defenses.
On the NFL's fifth-ranked scoring defense (18.9), Greenway had a solid season while finishing fourth in total tackles (86) and tied for second in solo tackles (61). He had 2 ½ sacks on the season and returned an interception 91 yards for a touchdown in the win over San Diego.
Greenway presumably will maintain the same role as weak-side linebacker in the base defense. But if he falters, he could face competition for playing time from younger players. Emmanuel Lamur, who was signed during free agency, is among those who will be used on the weak side.
With 1,289 career tackles according to the Vikings record book, Greenway ranks fourth in team history behind only Scott Studwell (1,928), Matt Blair (1,404) and Jeff Siemon (1,375). But Greenway's average of 9.2 tackles per game is second only to Studwell's 9.5. Greenway and Studwell share the record for most consecutive seasons of leading the team in tackles (six).
With 135, Greenway ranks fourth in career starts by a Vikings linebacker, behindStudwell (160), Roy Winston (160) and Siemon.
Like all players, Greenway knows the end is near. Unlike most players, it appears he gets to choose when.
"Last year."
