Explosive Ex-Viking Heads to Arizona
Most of the players who were present under the previous regime, led by Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman, have already departed. Under contract for next season are only Justin Jefferson, Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Joshua Metellus, and Blake Brandel. Former draftee Ihmir Smith-Marsette also didn’t survive the regime change, as he was axed shortly after Kevin O’Connell’s arrival. He’s now found a new employer.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted via social media, “Former Giants kick and punt returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette reached agreement on a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, per his agent @seanstellato.”
An hour later, the Cardinals confirmed the move.
It’s a futures contract for the speedy wideout. The Vikings added ten futures contract players last week. Those deals will officially start once the new league year begins in March and teams that have been eliminated can hand them out.
Smith-Marsette, now 26 years old, was a fifth-round pick in Spielman’s final draft in charge of the operation. In that 2021 draft, his parting gifts included franchise tackle Darrisaw and departed safety Cam Bynum.
During his Iowa college days, Smith-Marsette contributed with over 1,600 receiving yards and 13 scores, as well as another 274 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He added another pair of touchdowns on kick returns.
As a rookie in Klint Kubiak’s offense in 2021, the fifth-rounder appeared in eight games, logging five catches for 116 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Most of his damage was done in Zimmer’s final game against the Bears.
That season finale prompted folks to buy into a sophomore breakout, but that never happened. In fact, the Vikings surprisingly cut their expected WR4 after the preseason. He was viewed as the clear-cut front-runner for the role behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and K.J. Osborn, while also providing help on the return units. Instead, Jalen Reagor was acquired via trade.
His next team was the Chicago Bears, but his time there included a game-losing fumble against the Minnesota Vikings. Cam Dantzler ripped the ball out and the second-year player was released a few days later. The Chiefs picked him up and Smith-Marsette has a Super Bowl ring on his resume, despite not playing in that game.
In 2023, the Panthers traded for him and Smith-Marsette played in all 17 games, primarily providing explosiveness on special teams. He did score a punt return that season, something the Vikings haven’t done since Marcus Sherels housed one in 2016.
The Giants added the receiver in the 2024 offseason and deployed him as their returner. He scored a kick return touchdown — once again, something the Vikings haven’t done since the 2022 season. Last season, he spent the entire campaign on the practice squad without appearing in a game.
He hopes to return to the field in the 2026 season. After signing with the Cardinals, he will audition for a depth receiver and return spot in the NFC West.
Of that 2021 draft, only Darrisaw remains on the team.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.