Veteran safety agrees to incentive laden deal to return to Vikings

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) forces a fumble from New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88). USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Veteran safety agrees to incentive laden deal to return to Vikings

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Sep 5, 2026 10:33 PM ET

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A week away from the start of the Minnesota Vikings 2026 season, the franchise's longest tenured player has finally made a decision about his future.

After contemplating retirement for months, safety Harrison Smith agree to return to the only NFL team he's ever known for one more year.

Harrison Smith will return to the Vikings for a 15th year

As first reported by Ian Rapoport and Mike Garofalo, Smith signed a new one-year deal with Vikings late Saturday night. Smith's contract is for $12.5 million and comes with added playoff incentives, making the overall value worth up to $16.25 million.

While valuable as a veteran leader, Harrison is coming off the least productive season of his entire career in 2025. And in fact, it led to the team releasing him in March.

Harrison is coming off his worst season of his career

He made just 54 total tackles in 15 games, a far cry from the 87 he recorded in 2024 and the 97 from 2023.

The Hitman Returns

The #Vikings and @HarriSmith22 have agreed to terms on a new contract. pic.twitter.com/0hyhHQJC6P
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 5, 2026

In fact, Harrison only failed to at least reach 60 combined tackles in one other season prior to last year, registering 58 in 2013, granted that was in just eight games.

Harrison has been incredibly productive throughout most of his career

To his credit, he did pick off two passes last season. A six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro (one first-team and one second-team), Harrison has 1,180 tackles with 859 credited as solo, 21.5 sacks, 106 pass deflections and 39 interceptions overall in 207 games and 203 starts across 14 NFL campaigns to this point.

So while trying to prove he can still play at a high level, Harrison, who the Vikings drafted in the first round out of Notre Dame in 2012, is also chasing that elusive Super Bowl appearance. He has 55 tackles and a sack in eight career playoff games, but has never played more than two postseason games in a given year.

Smith and the Vikings will kickoff the 2026 season by hosting the rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday Sept. 13. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET with the game airing on CBS.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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