MINNEAPOLIS —Chad Greenway was the last Viking to take the field Sunday and the last to leave it.
Many wonder if Minnesota's 38-10 victory over Chicago will be his last time to take the field.
He stepped out from the tunnel as the dragon on the front of the Vikings ship unleased fire. Greenway did a slow 360 to a robust ovation and started a trot through the end zone. He hit a faster stride a little past the 11-yard line.
The Vikings attacked the Bears early and often, building a 17-point lead that ballooned to the final margin of 38-10.
As time was winding down on the 2016 season, Greenway was shown on the video boards at U.S. Bank Stadium and received another incredible ovation from the crowd. He stood on the sidelines at the 50 and gave one high kick in celebration.
Greenway was credited with a pair of tackles, bringing his tally in 11 seasons to 1,334 in 145 starts (both fourth all-time).
He also took a special handoff when he received the ball from Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer before teammates prompted him to deliver an emotional speech in the locker room.
He said he had read a few clips before the game that downplayed the significance of a game where the Vikings could and did finish at 8-8, and the Bears ended at 3-13.
"I can tell you," Greenway said, "to our football team, to me individually, to my teammate, to Coach, I was just really proud of the way we were able to go out and, execute might be the wrong word, but to find a way to get a win."
Greenway didn't announce his future plans after the game, but he did say during a rare podium session that he was sure to savor every moment in the game.
"I can tell you I enjoyed every minute," said Greenway, a four-time selection as Vikings Community Man of the Year. "This business is so much about relationships and people, and teammates and coaches. You don't realize that until you think about, 'This could be it.'
Greenway said he wanted to take some time and discuss the decision with his wife, Jenni. Asked if she has an opinion, Greenway quipped, "She's an Italian from Chicago, so you can do the math on that one."
Zimmer also didn't weigh in on Greenway's future, but did say, "Chad is a true professional. He's a leader in the community, a leader on the field. He's a tremendous competitor. He's a guy that truly will always be one of my best guys."
Anthony Barr, who has learned an immense amount from Greenway in his first three seasons, said the ovation for the veteran was "well-deserved."
"I think he's kind of had the career that everyone dreams of, playing with one franchise for 11 years and doing it at a high level and doing it on and off the field is the most impressive thing," Barr said. "He's a great guy in the locker room but also a great guy in the community. His impact was felt much further than in this locker room."
Major milestones
Sam Bradford set a new NFL record for completion percentage in a season at 71.6. Bradford opened the game by completing his first eight attempts and finished 25-of-33 passing for 250 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Bradford's 395 completions are the most ever by a Vikings quarterback in a season. He broke Daunte Culpepper's franchise best of 379 completions and 69.2 completion percentage from 2004.
Kyle Rudolph caught 11 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. He broke Steve Jordan's franchise best of 28 career touchdowns by a tight end and Joe Senser's season best of 79 receptions. Rudolph finished with 83 receptions, 840 yards and a team-best seven touchdowns.
Rudolph, Adam Thielen (69 catches, 967 yards, five scores) and Stefon Diggs (84 catches, 903 yards and three touchdowns) became the first Vikings trio to have more than 800 receiving yards apiece in a season since Senser, Sammy White and Ahmad Rashad in 1981.
Defense bounces back
The Vikings defense created four turnovers and recorded two interceptions of Matt Barkley and two sacks on the day.
Linval Joseph split sacks of Barkley and David Fales with Danielle Hunter and Brian Robison respectively.
Hunter finished his second pro season with 12.5 sacks, Robison capped his 10th year with 7.5, and Joseph totaled 5.0.
The half-sack by Robison gives him 56 in his career, which is tied with Henry Thomas for ninth in Vikings history.
Xavier Rhodes picked off Barkley at the goal line to end Chicago's first possession, and Trae Waynes picked off Barkley at the Minnesota 11. Rhodes finished with a career-best five picks, and Waynes also set a new high bar with three this season.
O-line rotation
The Vikings used their eighth different combination of starters on the offensive line. Joe Berger filled in for Alex Boone at left guard. Berger started at right guard for Brandon Fusco against Indianapolis and at Green Bay. He played center the first 11 games of the season.
Nick Easton stepped in for Berger against Dallas and started the final five games of the season in the middle of the line.
Fusco returned at right guard after missing the past two games.
The need for eight different combinations of offensive linemen occurred a season after the Vikings were the only team in the NFL to start the same five players.
T.J. Clemmings left the game with an elbow injury and was replaced by Rashod Hill.
"It was crazy, man. Coach is always telling me to be ready," Hill said. "They prepared me so much for this game. We all studied hours and hours so to go out here and contribute and win, it's a big honor for the team and for me."
Hill, who joined the Vikings in November, said the thought he played "pretty good, but there's always room for improvement."
"The older guys always helped me … if I had a doubt about something then they always told me I could do it," Hill added. "I felt pretty comfortable. There were a couple mistakes I made, but Coach says we can fix that. I just want to keep getting better."
