**Key Takeaways:**
– Harrison Smith, the Minnesota Vikings’ most experienced player, is not retiring and will return for his 13th season in 2024.
– Smith has renegotiated his contract to approximately $9 million, providing the team with salary cap relief.
– Over his career, Smith has been recognized with six Pro Bowl selections and a First-Team All-Pro honor in 2017.
– Despite speculation about his retirement, Smith is set to continue contributing his veteran expertise to the Vikings’ secondary.
Harrison Smith, the stalwart safety of the Minnesota Vikings, has decided to extend his illustrious football career into a 13th season, quashing any retirement rumors. The Vikings, on a Wednesday afternoon, made the announcement that they had successfully negotiated a new deal for the 2024 season with Smith. This restructured contract, as reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, sees Smith’s return at about $9 million, significantly less than the $19 million he was initially slated to earn, thereby offering the team crucial salary cap flexibility. Smith’s entire professional journey has been with the Vikings, marking this return as a continuation of a singular team career.
The departure of Kirk Cousins from Minnesota, following a four-year agreement with the Atlanta Falcons, ends his six-season tenure with the Vikings. This significant change within the team was met with reactions from FOX 9 Sports Director Jim Rich and Pete Bercich of the Vikings Radio Network, highlighting the evolving dynamics within the team.
Despite the off-season filled with speculation about his potential retirement, Smith has chosen to remain a cornerstone of the Vikings’ defense. Selected in the first round, 29th overall, from Notre Dame in 2012, Smith has been a fixture in the Vikings’ lineup, starting in 175 games. His career has been decorated with six Pro Bowl selections and a prestigious First-Team All-Pro nod in 2017.
In the previous season, Smith started 17 games, amassing 94 tackles and three sacks. His career interceptions stand at 34, although the 2023 season marked only the second time he did not record a takeaway. Smith’s experience and leadership will continue to be invaluable, especially in mentoring young defensive talents like Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans, alongside Cam Bynum in the secondary.
With a career tally of 19.5 sacks and 45 tackles for loss, Smith’s return not only bolsters the Vikings’ defensive lineup but also reaffirms his commitment to the only NFL team he has known. His decision to play on provides the Vikings with both the skill and leadership necessary to navigate the challenges of the upcoming season.