Vinatieri had yet another solid overall season in 2018, his 13th with the Colts. He connected on 23-of-27 field goals (85.2 percent), including 4-of-6 from 50 yards or further, and also made 44-of-47 extra-point attempts (93.6 percent).

He was also a trusted team captain and leader of a young Colts team that started the season with a 1-5 record, but reeled off wins in nine of its final 10 regular season games to finish at 10-6 and earn its first postseason berth since the 2014 season.

The Colts — just the third team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to make the playoffs after a 1-5 start — would go on to defeat the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.

Acknowledging the fact he felt something special was building in Indianapolis, Vinatieri told reporters Jan. 13 that he wasn't ruling out coming back for a 24th NFL season in 2019. But he said he wanted to meet with the Colts first and then take a little time before anything official would be decided on his end.

"Listen: I love playing football," Vinatieri said. "I love being in the locker room with these guys and stuff. So I can't imagine doing anything else. But, like anybody, we're gonna all sit back and just decompress a little bit and see where it goes."

Ballard told reporters Jan. 14 that he was planning on meeting with Vinatieri the next day.

"I will say this: do I think he can still kick in this league and be a really good kicker? Absolutely I do," Ballard said.