INDIANAPOLIS – Arguably the NFL's greatest kicker in league history makes it sound rather easy.
A pending free agency is coming for Adam Vinatieri.
Trying to read any anxiety into the future Hall of Famer is about as difficult as remembering a missed field goal of his the last two years.
"I love this stuff. It's great," the 43-year-old Vinatieri says about life in the NFL.
"There is nothing I would rather be doing and if I can compete at a high enough level, why wouldn't you?"
Well, he's not wrong.
Sure, there are some compelling arguments to Vinatieri closing the book on a career unlike any other in NFL history.
But why would you, with virtually untouchable NFL records in reach, and coming off back-to-back seasons where no one in the league kicked at a higher rate?
Vinatieri is 55-of-58 (94.8 percent, the highest percentage in the NFL) on field goals the past two years.
Reaching the age of 43 hasn't kept him from trotting out for field goals well north of 40 yards.
Since 2014, Vinatieri is 91 percent on field goals of at least 40 yards, also the NFL's highest percentage in that span.
"I feel like I can still kick long field goals and do a good job," Vinatieri says. "It's just a matter of pacing myself, knowing how many reps is the right amount, doing the little stuff in the weight room, training room, to make sure I stay fit and strong and healthy. I feel like I can still do it as well as ever."
In league annals, Vinatieri is closing in on rarefied air.
He's kicked 503 career field goals, 62 short of Morten Andersen's NFL record. That's a number Vinatieri could pass in two to three seasons.
Vinatieri is 291 points short of Andersen's NFL record of 2,544 career points. With another three seasons, Vinatieri could certainly add that to his Canton resume.
For the Colts, they don't have to look too far back to see the need for Vinatieri.
Remember Jacksonville in Week Four?
While Jaguars' rookie kicker Jason Myers missed a pair of game-winning field goals, Vinatieri calmly knocked home his overtime opportunity.*
How about the November road trip in Atlanta?*
Vinatieri's 43-yard field goal with under a minute to play in Atlanta continued a streak of 25 straight field goals he converted to end the 2015 season.
It goes without saying that a 21st NFL season is coming for Vinatieri.
Records beware.
"Every year after the season is done and over with, I think about how I feel physically and where our family is at," Vinatieri says of his decision to keep on playing. "It's a family decision but my wife is on board for another year or two, or three, or however long it goes.
"I always thought if I'm playing well and feeling healthy there's nothing I'd rather be doing. My intentions are to continue that."
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