2024 Will “No Doubt” be Harrison Smith’s Last

Minnesota Vikings’ safety Harrison Smith’s time may be coming to an end. Initially drafted in the first-round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Smith has stood the test of time in purple and gold. He’s spent his entire career here in Minnesota, putting up a first-team All-Pro in 2017, second-team All-Pro in 2018, and a total of six Pro Bowl appearances. With the accomplishments and 13 prolific years in Minnesota, one prominent local journalist says this will be Smith’s final season.

The final season for Minnesota Vikings’ Harrison Smith

Although everyone thought last year was Smith’s final year in Minnesota, he decided to restructure his contract to come back. He technically would be a free agent going into next season, but Charley Walters (Pioneer Press) reported that this will be the last season for Smith.

Per @Charley_Walters, there’s “no doubt the coming season will be” the last for #Vikings S Harrison Smith after 13 prolific seasons in Minnesota.

📸: Matt Krohn pic.twitter.com/8YvZ1Fb66x

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 28, 2024

No doubt the coming season will be safety Harrison Smith’s last of 13 prolific seasons in Minnesota.

Charley Walters (Pioneer Press)

Related: Beat Writer for the Team Very Critical of Two Vikings’ Cornerbacks

Walters can be pretty crafty with the words he uses sometimes. He’ll sneak in words like “likely” or “potentially”, but in this case, he says “no doubt” and “will be”. Those are some pretty definitive words stating that this will be Smith’s final year in the NFL before retiring.

What can Minnesota Vikings’ fans expect if this is Harrison Smith’s final year?

Smith is still one of your starting safeties. That’s a given. With that said, it’s already been mentioned by numerous beat writers and defensive coordinator Brian Flores himself that Smith cannot be playing as many snaps as he has been. Smith played 1,111 snaps in 2023, which was by far the most snaps he’s played in his entire career.

At 35 years old, that just isn’t sustainable anymore. Having less mileage on Smith, come late in the season, could do wonders for this team. With the likely decrease in snaps, you can still bet that Smith will perform well but gives the younger safeties, such as Cam Bynum and Josh Metellus, a chance to step up.

Since 2012, no defensive back has had more tackles (766), more sacks(19.5), or more interceptions(34) than #Vikings Safety Harrison Smith.

Some would call that Generational. pic.twitter.com/96IqYF5G1F

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 22, 2024

Overall, Smith has an excellent shot at making the Hall of Fame. He’s one of the most dominant safeties of all time. At worst, he’s a Minnesota Vikings’ Ring of Honor candidate. What makes Smith so special was his loyalty to this team and fanbase. He’s always been a class act and is the definition of what it means to be a Minnesota Viking.