National Football League

Kicker Longwell headed back to Vikings

Published Jul. 27, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Mr. Reliable is headed back to Minnesota.

Kicker Ryan Longwell said in a text message to The Associated Press on Wednesday night that he has agreed to terms on a four-year contract to return to the Vikings.

''We're excited to be back!'' Longwell said.

The Vikings didn't hesitate to give the steady, 15-year veteran a four-year deal, even though he will turn 37 in August. If anything, Longwell has gotten better with age, posting the two highest field goal percentages of his career over the last two seasons in the comfy confines of the Metrodome.

Last season, he went 17 for 18 (a career-high 94.4 percent) on field goals and 30 for 31 on extra points. The previous season, Longwell made 26 of 28 (92.9 percent) of his field goals.

The deal means Longwell will be back in Minnesota for a sixth season after spending his first nine years in the league with the rival Green Bay Packers.

Longwell cannot officially sign the contract until Friday under terms of the new labor deal.