Terence Newman Rejoins Minnesota Vikings

Veteran cornerback Terence Newman will become the oldest defensive player in the NFL next season.

Terence Newman, who became a free agent in March, will return to the Minnesota Vikings’ secondary for the 2018-2019 season.

It will be a 16th NFL season for the 39-year old, 5-foot-10, 197 pound cornerback. Terence Newman has played with the Minnesota Vikings for the past three seasons, and will turn 40 in September.

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Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is renowned for his love of defensive depth, and Newman certainly provides that.

His 42 career interceptions is the highest among all active NFL players. He made 25 tackles, one interception and five pass deflections in 2017. During his third season in Minnesota, he played 555 snaps, which is third among Vikings corners.

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Newman has played 221 career games, which is 10th among active NFL players. The two-time pro bowler has made at least one interception in every season.

The 39-year-old Newman’s 42 career interceptions currently rank second among active players, and he is 10th among active players with 221 career games. He’s started 205 games while tallying 876 tackles (745 solo), 172 passes defensed and two sacks.

Cornerback Mackensie Alexander has commented on the importance of Newman’s veteran presence.

“I probably would not have been making the plays I’ve been making. Been playing the way I’ve been playing, if it wasn’t for him,” Alexander said in January. “He’s been pushing me. He’s obviously seen the talent, and all those kind of things that got me here. He wanted me to be a better [player]. He always said I had all the ability in the world. It was really just my thought process and the mental part of the game that I needed to grow from.”