By Matthew Coller
At 37 years old, Harrison Smith is going to take another bite at the apple.
On Saturday evening, the Minnesota Vikings announced the return of their six-time Pro Bowl safety. Tom Pelissero of The Ringer reported that the deal is worth $8 million with $4 million in per-game bonuses and another $4 million in incentives.
Here are five thoughts about Smith’s comeback:
The defense is now complete
Before Smith’s return, they were set to ask Josh Metellus to play a different position than he’s had in the past, Theo Jackson/Jakobe Thomas/Jacob Thomas to take on the free safety spot and Jay Ward as a big nickel. That’s quite the change from Smith’s stability over many, many years.
There are still going to be some questions about the defensive tackle position but now every starter for the 2026 defense will have multiple years in Flores’ defense. There aren’t any areas of the depth chart to circle as massive weaknesses.
Bumping players down the depth chart only adds flexibility and depth. Metellus can play in the box in the big nickel spot if required and Jackson can slide in during dime packages to play a deep safety role and the two rookies will only be needed if things go sideways, giving them a chance to develop.
Force multiplier
Harrison Smith is much more than a safety. He’s a conductor. In recent years, he has become a defensive coordinator on the field. Last season Flores mentioned that Smith has total autonomy to make any change to the coverage that he sees fit while he’s on the field. He’s also in constant communication with Flores about whether certain gameplans will/won’t work during the week.
The ability to change things at the line of scrimmage impacts the Vikings’ other dynamic players in a huge way. Players like Andrew Van Ginkel, Eric Wilson, Josh Metellus and Byron Murphy Jr. can make adjustments on the fly with the best of ‘em, allowing for Smith’s tweaks to the scheme to have their full effect. These players also know how to work with Smith from years of playing together.
Last year we saw the impact of this in games against top offenses like the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions.
Still a playmaker
Despite his age, Smith has still been able to get around the football and hasn’t been taken advantage of much on defense.
Over the last two seasons, Smith has five interceptions and seven pass breakups along with 18 QB pressures.
When he was targeted by opposing QBs last year, he only gave up an 81.0 passer rating into his coverage. By PFF standards, he graded 24th out of 67 starting safeties.
Can he still play at 37? It’s always going to be a concern when a player reaches a certain age but the recent evidence has not shown signs of decline.
Week 1?
If anyone can drop out of the sky right into the defense Week 1, it’s Smith. We can be very sure that he was preparing for this throughout the summer and knows what it takes to get on the field against the Green Bay Packers.
However, his comeback may look a little bit like last year when he missed most of camp and the beginning of the season due to a health issue. He played 22, 17 and 29 snaps in his first three games before getting up to full speed in Week 7 and then played full games from there.
The Vikings have the depth to be able to mix and match and play him on key downs to start and then they can ramp up from there.
Returns are endorsements
Smith wouldn’t come back just for footballs and giggles. The end of last year was so emotional that he would only do it if he believed in the Vikings’ ability to win the NFC North and get to the postseason.
Based on the way training camp went, he has reason to believe it’s possible. Kyler Murray had an overall strong training camp, the roster is healthy and the defense looked good, particularly during the joint practices.
When we look at the division, every team has its strengths and weaknesses but the Vikings may have the most complete team if Murray performs at a high level.
One more chance to celebrate a legend
The team and fans gave Smith his due last year with retirement seeming possible. Now they get another chance to watch one of the greatest players in team history and he gets an opportunity to get his 40th career interception and strengthen his Hall of Fame case.
Matthew, listening to your podcast just now, you were so animated. Just listening to you is getting me more psyched for this year.
Thanks Matthew for your constancy during what has seemed an interminable off season, filled with hand-wringing and finger pointing over the JJ McCarthy debacle. You say you don't listen to your colleagues' podcasts, so you're not aware, I think, of their role in stirring the pot to maintain fan interest and boost followers over these long months. Since February, when you first identified Kyler Murray as the best solution to their quarterback dilemma, your mantra has been "let's look at the facts," rather than enumerating all the ways the Vikings leadership had failed their young quarterback. What's more impressive is that you deliver your podcast daily, and mostly on your own. As we look forward to the first kick-off, we thank you for your steadiness and objectivity.