When faced with a question about his retirement two years ago, Minnesota Vikings star Harrison Smith made it clear how he plans to go out.
“Whenever I retire, I’m not going to tell you,” Smith said in January 2024. “You’ll figure it out.”
There doesn’t appear to be any farewell tour scheduled. No announcement pending.
But there will be signs, and one may have surfaced.
On Wednesday, January 28, the Vikings posted a video on YouTube that sent fans into a frenzy about the stoic safety’s potential retirement, posting a video titled “Harrison Smith NFL Career Highlights,” and while it’s not definitive, the Vikings appear prepared to wrap a bow on his career.
HeavyHarrison Smith NFL Career Highlights | @vikings on YouTube
Smith’s contract with the team has expired after several reworks to keep him in purple and gold over the years. The former 2012 first-round pick has inched closer to retirement over the past few offseasons.
Smith’s retirement decision was shelved for the 2025 season when the team announced he would return on a restructured contract at the beginning of free agency in mid-March.
Fans will likely have to wait until March again to learn if Smith will sign a new contract with the Vikings or another team or simply fade out after 14 seasons in Minnesota.
Smith has made six Pro Bowls over the course of his career as one of the all-time greats for the franchise.
At the age of 36, Smith finished the year ranked the No. 35 safety out of 98 qualifying safeties, according to Pro Football Focus. Smith tallied 54 tackles, 10 pass deflections, two interceptions, one forced fumble and a sack this season.
Harrison Smith Leaves Door Open in Potential Final Vikings Postgame Interview
With Smith’s contract expiring, retirement seems imminent for the veteran safety, which he hinted at in what may have been his final postgame interview.
“I’m definitely leaning one way, but I’m not one to never say never,” Smith said during an on-field postgame interview with CBS Sports. “So we’ll see.”
To sum up his career that has spanned nearly two decades, Smith showed gratitude to so many with whom he’s crossed paths with along the way.
“A lot of appreciation,” Smith added. “A lot of thanks to everyone who has helped me since I was young, growing all the way up. So it’s pretty overwhelming.”
Fan Theory Sees Harrison Smith Stay With Vikings as Coach
It will be a sad day when Smith finally says his body has had enough, but one fan theory circulating on Reddit could see him still contribute to the organization with his mind.
With defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Daronte Jones poised to take the Washington Commanders‘ defensive coordinator position, there is a vacancy that would be up Smith’s alley.
A user on the r/minnesotavikings Subreddit made a post with a photo of Smith with the caption: “My face when Harrison Smith is announced as the new DB Coach and Passing game coordinator.” The post garnered hundreds of upvotes in support.
Smith has shown a love for the game and could be fit to coach one day. However, his future decision has yet to be determined.
“The amount of relationships, players, coaches, people in the community, the gift of staying healthy that long and being able to be out here,” Smith told CBS Sports. “I don’t take that for granted at all and play at a high level. But really, the relationships and the stage to play such a complex game, mentally, physically, it taxes you in a lot of ways. More than just physically, emotionally, ups, downs. It’s a phenomenal game.”
Vikings’ Harrison Smith Retirement Decision Gets Telling Update