Harrison Smith Remains a Viking

Aloha, Skoloholics! Harrison Smith will be a Viking in 2023! We knew that something would happen soon with several Viking veterans, and today, the front office and Harrison Smith agreed on a deal that will allow him to remain a Viking for 2023, according to Ian Rapoport.

I like this. Not only because I’m a huge fan of Harrison Smith, but because this move is good for the Vikings. Harrison Smith, although 34 years old, is still playing at a high level. The safety position is such that a player is able to play later into their career. There have been numerous cornerbacks who transitioned to safety so that they could continue to play longer into their careers. Corey Chavous comes to mind immediately. The Vikings have plenty of holes to fill, so shoring up the safety position puts them in a better position as they navigate free agency and the upcoming NFL draft. The reduced contract also gives the team much needed cap space.

Harrison Smith was a first round pick (29th overall) in the 2012 draft. Ever since coming to Minnesota, Harrison Smith has been a fan favorite, and for many years, was the best or among the best safeties in the NFL. He’s been beyond durable, missing very few games in the past decade. Smith is a 6-time Pro-Bowl selection, and was the first-team All-Pro selection in 2017. A safety tandem of Lewis Cine and Harrison Smith could be a lethal combination, as both can hit as hard as a Mack truck. I’m looking forward to seeing them work together in 2023.

We pondered last week whether the Harrison Smith era may be coming to an end, and I’m happy to announce that is not happening yet. How much longer will Smith want to play? I have a feeling this may be his last year in the NFL, but time will tell. I sure hope to see him play out his entire career in Minnesota. SKOL!!!!