EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings are returning their All-Pro long snapper.

Minnesota agreed to terms with Andrew DePaola a day before the 2023 New League Year begins, the team announced Tuesday.

DePaola played all 17 regular-season games and the Vikings Wild Card game last season, earning his first career Pro Bowl nod in addition to First-Team All-Pro honors from The Associated Press. He joined star receiver Justin Jefferson as the two Vikings to be named to the First Team; return specialist Kene Nwangwu was named Second-Team All-Pro.

"Sir Po," as he's called by Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels, is entering his ninth NFL season and fourth with Minnesota.

Kevin O'Connell called DePaola "a real joy" to have on the roster during his debut season as the Vikings head coach.

DePaola helped kicker Greg Joseph make five game-winning field goals, a new single-season Vikings record, during the 2022 campaign. He also assisted rookie punter Ryan Wright in posting the 10th-best net punting average (42.5).

DePaola's NFL journey is one of persistence, and it's paid off in a big way for the Maryland native who wrapped up his college career at Rutgers in 2010, joined the Buccaneers for training camp in 2012, and in 2014 made an active roster for the first time.

It's worth celebrating, for sure. But DePaola has always believed in saving the reflections for after his career. Right now, it's time to play football.

"I'm so grateful just to be able to play this sport and play this game – and not only to play it but to play it for an organization like the Vikings," DePaola told Vikings.com while at the Pro Bowl. "I just want to enjoy every minute that I can, and that's just kind of my outlook and philosophy on life, really."