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Colts' Adam Vinatieri confirms he will play in 2016

Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri confirmed Tuesday that he will be returning for his 21st season in the NFL.

Vinatieri is the oldest player in the league - he'll be 43-years-old by the time the 2016 season rolls around - but still expressed a desire to keep playing not just for the season to come, but potentially for several more as well.

"Not only a season, but Lord willing, a couple of years," Vinatieri said. according to Zak Keefer of the Indy Star. "There will come a time when it’s over for me. I don’t think that time is yet. I enjoy playing. I enjoy doing my thing."

Vinatieri is set to become a free agent this offseason, but it's expected that he will return to the Colts, with both parties having publicly stated their hope that their partnership will continue.

The four-time Super Bowl champion said when the season finished that he would take some time to consider his future, and it appears the Colts' decision to retain head coach Chuck Pagano was a factor in his choice to continue his career.

"I would hate to be starting over again (with a new coaching staff)," Vinatieri said. "I was happy to see (Pagano) stay, to see that nucleus intact."

Despite his age Vinatieri has remained one of the league's best kickers, having connected on 55 of his 58 field-goal attempts over the past two seasons.

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