The Vikings remain active in free agency this week with Tuesday’s trio of moves all keeping in-house free agents home.
Shortly after announcing that cornerback/punt returner Marcus Sherels and tight end Rhett Ellison had agreed to stay with the Vikings, the team reached a one-year, $3 million agreement veteran cornerback Terence Newman, according to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero.
Terence Newman has agreed to a 1-year, $3M deal to stay with #Vikings, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2016
Newman turns 38 in September, making him the oldest active defensive player in the NFL, the Pioneer Press notes. Oakland’s Charles Woodson played at 39-years-old last season but he has since retired. For perspective, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will turn 39 in September.
Newman started all 16 games at cornerback opposite of Xavier Rhodes last season, finishing with 52 tackles and 3 interceptions.
Sherels was once again one of the NFL most reliable punt returners in 2015, averaging 9.1 yards per return including one return for a touchdown. He’s the Vikings’ all-time leader with 3 career punt return touchdowns, one more than David Palmer, who also returned 4 kickoffs for touchdowns.
Ellison is considered Minnesota’s top blocking tight end.
