Vikings safety Harrison Smith, by far the team's longest-tenured player, made his 182nd start on Sunday for the franchise that drafted him back in 2012.
It might've been the final start of his NFL career. Or maybe it wasn't. Smith, who turns 35 in a few weeks, hasn't made that decision yet.
"Whenever I retire, I'm not going to tell you," Smith said postgame, via the Star Tribune's Andrew Krammer. "You'll figure it out. I'll say this: It's hard to have the ability to play and not have a desire to play. Whatever that gives you, I'm not trying to be ominous or anything. Right now, my shoulder hurts."
Kevin O'Connell said last week that he hoped Sunday's game in Detroit wasn't Smith's last as a Viking. The veteran is a highly-respected leader in the locker room who continued to play at a high level in his 12th season.
There are three different ways it could go this offseason. It's possible that Smith decides to call it quits and announces his retirement at some point. If he does decide he wants to play, it's not a guarantee that'll be in Minnesota. He has two years left on his contract, but the Vikings could free up $11.4 million in cap space if they release him (with $7.8 million in dead money).
Smith is going to take his time before choosing whether or not he wants to return for a 13th NFL season.
"It'd be cool if I had a process," Smith said. "Just kind of continue living my life and spend some time with my family. When I start thinking about it, I'll start thinking about it."
"I've been at peace for a while. When I was a kid, I never thought I'd play in the NFL. To have a career I've had to this point, it's pretty cool. Got to play with a lot of great people, a lot of great players and coaches. Lot of struggle, a lot of ups and downs. It's kind of what makes it so fun, too. Sorry I don't have any more info."
Smith enjoyed playing in Brian Flores' defense this season as part of a highly-productive safety trio with Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus. But ultimately, he views this season as a disappointment because the Vikings will be watching the playoffs from home.
"Winning is, at the end of the day, all people care about," Smith said. "And it’s the only thing people should care about. Competing, playing to win. When you don’t, it’s not enough. However it unfolds, whatever cards you’re dealt, it doesn’t matter."
We'll see what decision Smith ends up making. He loves the camaraderie of competing in the NFL alongside his teammates, but he's also gone through this grind for a long time.
Either way, he's a lock to be in the Vikings' Ring of Honor someday — with an outside chance at making it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, too. If this was it for Smith, what a career it was.
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