The Vikings aren't going to have to worry about looking for a new kicker.
The team reached an agreement on a four-year, $12 million deal with veteran Ryan Longwell on Wednesday that includes $3.5 million in guarantees. The veteran won't be able to sign the deal until Friday and can't practice until Aug. 4 because that's when the NFL Players Association will recertify.
Longwell, who will turn 37 next month, signed a five-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings that included a $3 million signing bonus in 2006 after spending his first nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
Longwell, known for his accuracy and consistency, made 17 of 18 field-goal attempts and 30 of 31 point-after attempts last season. He has hit on 113 of 129 field goals since joining the Vikings and was 26 of 28 in the 2009 regular season as the team advanced to the NFC Championship Game.
Longwell had only three touchbacks last season and has never been known for his distance on kickoffs since joining the Vikings, but that should be much less of an issue now that the ball will be kicked from the 35-yard line instead of the 30.
"[My wife] Sarah and I are really excited to be back with the Vikings," Longwell said in a text message. "It was our intention all along to stay if we could, so we feel so blessed it worked out this way. I'm a big believer in the way Coach [Leslie] Frazier approaches life and football, so I can't wait to get to work."
Longwell was the first of the Vikings' own free agents that the team has retained and news that he was staying came moments before reports surfaced that wide receiver Sidney Rice was headed to Seattle. Meanwhile, the Vikings were believed to have entered into preliminary contract talks with free-agent linebacker Ben Leber.
New additionsValdosta (Ga.) State linebacker Larry Dean, the NCAA Division II Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, was among 14 rookie free agents the Vikings have signed.
