Harrison Smith
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 12: Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) stands on the field during the game against the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 12, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Harrison Smith to Stay with Vikings

Harrison Smith restructures deal to stay with Vikings

Despite rumors of a possible release, Harrison Smith will stay with the Minnesota Vikings.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says Smith will return on a restructured deal worth $8 million with $2 million in incentives.

Minnesota drafted Smith in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.  He’s played 159 games in purple and gold.

Smith is a six-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-Pro in 2017.

Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 69.1 last season.  He recorded 85 tackles, five interceptions, and a forced fumble on 913 snaps.

Smith turned 34 in February — making him the second oldest player on the Vikings roster, behind long-snapper Andrew DePaola who is 35.

On the Vikings’ all-time list, Smith is first in pick-six scores (4), fifth in interceptions (34), and fourth in solo tackles (706).

He also has the most passes defended since 1999, totaling 83.

If Smith plays a full 17-game schedule in 2023, he will tie Steve Jordan and John Randle for the 15th most games played on defense in franchise history.