Vikings’ Harrison Smith to rework deal, return for 13th season

Amid ongoing personnel turnover on either side of the ball, a minimum of one fixed will stay for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. Security Harrison Smith agreed to restructure his contract Wednesday and can return for a thirteenth season with the staff.

Smith, the staff’s longest-tenured participant, watched earlier this week as quarterback Kirk Cousins and pass-rusher Danielle Hunter departed through free company. He has contemplated retirement for the previous a number of offseasons, and in January mentioned that “it is exhausting to have the power to play and never have a want.”

In the end, Smith determined to return for a minimum of yet one more season in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ revolutionary scheme, one the Vikings have fortified this week by signing three new starters in linebackers Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman.

Smith’s contract initially referred to as for him to earn $15.3 million and depend $19.2 million towards the wage cap, however these numbers had been placeholders following a earlier restructuring that paved the best way for him to play in 2023. He earned $8 million final season, and Wednesday’s restructuring was anticipated to place him at roughly the identical wage.

Smith, 35, was the second of the Vikings’ two first-round draft picks in 2012. He was an All-Professional in 2017 and has been named to 6 Professional Bowls.

His 34 interceptions because the begin of his profession ties him with Patrick Peterson for the very best whole over that interval. Smith, nevertheless, adjusted to a brand new position beneath Flores final season that had him making protection calls on the sector whereas additionally taking part in on the road of scrimmage extra regularly than at any level in his profession. He blitzed on 325 of his 992 snaps in 2023, greater than double the speed in another season of his profession, in line with ESPN Stats & Info knowledge.

He recorded three sacks, all of which got here in a Week 4 victory over the Carolina Panthers, and completed with 93 tackles.