The Vikings Need a Harrison Smith Answer Soon
The Minnesota Vikings are currently awaiting a decision from Harrison Smith on whether he will continue his playing career, extending it to 15 seasons.
In case you didn’t know, Smith isn’t technically a member of the Minnesota Vikings. He was released by the team on March 11th with a post-June 1st designation in a procedural move to make sure a $25 million guarantee didn’t trigger. This, of course, would’ve handcuffed the Vikings for the free agency frenzy that was kicking off around the time of the transaction.
For the first time since April of 2012, Smith is not a Minnesota Viking. It feels weird, especially for me, seeing as Smith has been a purple mainstay since I was 12 years old.
The Vikings’ Shot-Clock for Harrison Smith is Ticking
Before long, the Vikings may require an answer from Smith. Minnesota needs to know all of the names they’ll have going into training camp in July, and we’re not getting any further away from that.
The Vikings’ safety room is a bit bare at the moment. While you can argue Smith isn’t the player he was at one point, he still absolutely brings stability and veteran knowledge and experience to a young room. The notable names in the room consist of Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jakobe Thomas, and Jay Ward.
There are issues there. Metellus isn’t your traditional archetype of safety; he is a rover, or a “Swiss-Army knife” that Vikings fans like to call him. Jay Ward was actually used more in that style in 2025 as well, with box safety being where he lined up more than any other defensive position. Theo Jackson is fine, and Jakobe Thomas, of course, is a rookie; we’re not too sure what’s there yet, and we won’t find out until the time that we would need a Smith answer by.
The Vikings Want Smith Back, and Sooner is Better
The Vikings would surely welcome Smith back. But they can’t wait around forever.
Judd Zulgad spoke with Thor Nystrom on a recent edition of Thor Talks Purple on SKOR North. Zulgad believes that Minnesota wants Harrison back, but the waiting is becoming a little much.
“I know that is a waiting game, and I think the Vikings sincerely want him back. But I need an answer from Harrison Smith.
…I don’t know [if] it’s fair to them to keep this thing hanging.”
Zulgad believes that the Vikings need to know if Smith is returning by June 1st, which isn’t too far away. Nystrom gave a bit more of a rope, noting July 4th as the metaphorical deadline to know whether or not the Vikings can expect Smith back.
It is important to note that Vikings training camp begins in mid-late July, and offseason walkthroughs and mandatory minicamp are slated for June 9th through June 11th next month at TCO Performance Center in Eagan.
So, what exactly is taking so long? Is it really taking this long to decide? Is he even thinking about football? Does he want to return, but just doesn’t want to do all the boring camps and offseason activities? Only time will tell, and time feels like it’s turning into a premium.
