Six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith will play for the Vikings in his 13th season following a contract restructuring that would pay him $9 million in 2020–21.
The six-time Pro Bowler’s contract was adjusted, and the team revealed on Wednesday afternoon that it will keep him in Minnesota through the 2024 campaign. Smith, who turned 35 in February, had told reporters, grinning, “Whenever I retire, I’m not going to tell you,” following the Vikings’ season-ending victory that he needed to take some time to think about whether he wanted to play another in the NFL. You’ll understand it.”
It will be at least a year before that retirement.
In order to save salary cap room for the Vikings, Smith consented to take a pay cut for the second year in a row. According to a source with knowledge of the matter, Smith will get $9 million in 2024 rather than the $14.45 million he had been projected to make.
With a defense that nearly always utilized three safety, head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores had publicly advocated for Smith’s return at the conclusion of the 2023 campaign, aiming to extend the longest-tenured player’s stay with the Vikings for another season.
Despite going the entire game without a reception, Smith equaled his career high with three sacks. He recorded all of those in a victory over Carolina in Week 4, which he helped seal with two sacks of Bryce Young on the Panthers’ final three offensive plays.
Smith, who will receive a second season in a defensive scheme he enjoyed in 2023, will be looked to for leadership in a locker room that lost Kirk Cousins, Danielle Hunter, and Jordan Hicks in free agency. Additionally, he will carry on with the 2012 first-round draft pick club. With 34 career interceptions, Smith is second among active players only behind former teammate Patrick Peterson, who has 36.
Smith’s addition to the team’s Ring of Honor appears inevitable when he does retire, but for 2024, he decided there was more to do with the only team he’s played for. Smith needs three interceptions to tie Vikings Ring of Honor member Joey Browner for fourth in team history, and needs just a half-sack to become the first defensive back in team history with 20 in his career.
