"This year is going to be it," he said Tuesday in a phone interview.
The former second-round draft pick out of Nebraska in 1997 is the franchise leader in tackles (953) and fumble recoveries (10), and is tied with Julius Peppers for the lead in forced fumbles (16). He also has a franchise-record four interception returns for touchdowns.
"It's not that I felt like my play is slipping," Minter said. "The decision is more based on how my body feels. You're talking about 1,200 or 1,300 snaps a year and not having missed any time. Eventually that adds up, especially how I play the game."
Minter, 33, has started a franchise-record 94 straight games for the Panthers, but there's a chance he may be relegated to a backup role this year. Over the weekend he accepted a $1.43 million pay cut for the 2007 season, agreeing to reduce his base salary from $2.15 million to $820,000.
That move allows Minter, a locker room leader, to stick around this season, but it won't guarantee him a starting job.
Minter said he spoke to head coach John Fox, who told him the team plans to bring in some younger players to compete at safety. Minter and Deke Cooper are the only safeties on the roster with any significant experience, but the Panthers select 14th overall in next month's draft and there's a possibility they could go after a safety.
Minter said he welcomes the competition from younger players and said he won't leave the starting lineup without a fight.
"I view it as they are going to bring in some young guys and we're going to go on the field and compete," Minter said. "If it's on the field then I like my chances as well as anybody. I came into the league competing and I will go out competing."