EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings are locking up consistency at punter/holder by re-signing Britton Colquitt, the team announced Tuesday.
Colquitt, who signed with Minnesota just before the start of the 2019 season, was set to become a free agent but inked a new deal that will keep him in Purple.
The 2020 season will mark Colquitt's 11th in the NFL. He spent 2010-15 in Denver before three seasons in Cleveland. The native of Knoxville, Tennessee, will turn 35 on Friday.
Colquitt said the following in a statement:"My family and I are overjoyed to be staying in Minnesota. We are so blessed to remain a part of this great franchise. Thank you to the Wilf family and Rick [Spielman] and Rob [Brzezinski] for the opportunity to be a part of this team. I am excited to start working hard for what these fans and everyone in the Vikings family deserves – a World Championship. SKOL Vikings and God Bless!"
In 2019, Colquitt punted 62 times and averaged 45.2 yards per boot. His longest punt of the season was 59 yards. None of his punts were blocked, and he did not record a touchback in the regular season. Colquitt punted a combined 12 times in Minnesota's two playoff games, averaging 49 yards.
He also served as the holder on field goals for Dan Bailey, who thrice was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week and in November reached the 1,000-career points mark.
Colquitt, his wife and their four young children are excited to be staying with the Vikings organization.
"We really love Minnesota. We've fallen in love with it," he told Twin Cities media members in January. "The people are great, our neighbors, and it's a really awesome place.
"[My kids] want to wake up at 6:45 and hop on the bus – when it's 5 degrees outside. I mean, what kids want to do that?" he later added, laughing. "That's just a testament to this place. I don't know, I can't explain everything, but I just know that God's path has been awesome, and I trust Him for everything, and our family trusts Him, and if it's here next year, that would be great."
The Vikings have since turned the page to the 2020 season but still feel the sting of falling short in the Divisional round game at San Francisco in January. Colquitt, who earned a Super Bowl 50 championship with the Broncos, was asked if Minnesota is close to making it over the hump.
"The building blocks are there … you might even say we have more weapons than that year we won the Super Bowl [with Denver]," Colquitt said. "It's there."
View the best photos from the Vikings team photographers of special teams in 2019.
In addition to his NFL experience, Colquitt is known for his fun-loving, quirky personality … and a cast of unique characters that resides in his locker.
But don't let the easygoing demeanor fool you.
"On the inside looking in, you might think I'm not very professional because of the way I joke around – I'm always laughing and stuff like that – but I just love my job and I love being here [in Minnesota], so why not show it?" Colquitt said.
But don't let the easygoing demeanor fool you.
"I take my job very seriously, holding and punting, and I [take seriously my responsibility] of being a good influence on this team; I try to shine God's light anywhere I can," he emphasized. "I try to teach young guys and use my age and experience to help this team get better."