The new NFL league year kicked off today, but the Minnesota Vikings were already ahead of the game, making moves months before the team even meets for OTAs in June or training camp in late July.
As soon as the 2024 season ended, head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah vowed to address the issues that plagued the Vikings throughout the previous year. In just three days, they tackled some of the team’s biggest weaknesses.
Struggling with interior offensive line play? Problem solved with the signings of former Colts linemen Ryan Kelly and Will Fries. Defensive push up the middle? Taken care of after landing top free agents Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
The Vikings also strengthened their secondary. While they lost Cam Bynum to the Indianapolis Colts after he signed a big deal on Monday, they managed to bring back Byron Murphy Jr. for a more affordable $18 million per season than initially reported.
Harrison Smith’s Return to the Vikings
On Wednesday night, after speculation had been building, Harrison Smith confirmed he would be returning for another season. The 36-year-old safety, who is destined for the Vikings’ Ring of Honor, is postponing his retirement for at least one more year to continue playing under defensive coordinator Brian Flores for a third straight season.
Harrison Smith
Drafted 29th overall in 2012, Smith is arguably the second-greatest safety in Vikings history, behind only Paul Krause, the NFL’s all-time interception leader with 81. Last season, Smith started all 16 games, recording 87 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, and 10 passes defended. But his impact goes far beyond just those numbers in the Vikings’ defense.
No Discount for the Vikings
According to Star Tribune beat reporter Ben Goessling, Smith’s total cap hit (salary, bonus, and projected incentives) will be $14 million. If that figure holds, it would make him the 12th-highest-paid safety in the NFL in terms of average annual value (AAV) and the 8th-highest in total cash for this season.
This means that the Vikings didn’t get Smith on a hometown discount. After taking pay cuts in both 2023 and 2024, Smith wasn’t about to risk his health for another season at a low cost. He will earn $11 million in guaranteed cash next year, plus $275K in bonuses for each game he plays. Smith’s $14 million cap hit this season is just $1 million less than what Bynum will make with the Colts in AAV and double the cash Bynum is getting in 2025.
What does this say about the Vikings’ view of Harrison Smith? It shows that defensive coordinator Brian Flores didn’t just accept Smith’s return; he actively pushed to bring back his defensive leader, no matter the cost.
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