Harrison Smith ended last season playing at an impressive level for the Minnesota Vikings. Nonetheless, the veteran safety has yet to decide on whether he intends to play this upcoming 2026 NFL season.
The 37-year-old earned a 68.9 overall PFF defensive grade for the 2025 season, 31st among 98 qualified safeties. Smith’s PFF coverage grade of 69.0 ranked 29th, while his run-defense grade of 61.7 ranked 78th at the position.
He recorded two interceptions on the season and broke up three passes in coverage. Furthermore, the Vikings veteran allowed an 81.0 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks. He surrendered 21 receptions in coverage and also contributed 42 solo tackles in run support and open-field situations.
On April 20, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke with the media and shared the latest regarding Smith.
“It’s been a few days [since I last talked to Smith], but I’ll probably bug him today,” O’Connell said. “But no, it’s something we’re still trying to give Harrison as much space as possible. And I think he’s earned that. If it’s anything at this point, it’s seeing how he’s doing, seeing how his family is, seeing how his golf game is, all of those things.”
Vikings Insider Projects Harrison Smith to Be Back
Even with the uncertainty, Alec Lewis, who covers the Vikings for The Athletic, believes Smith will be back, as he included the veteran safety in his projections for the safety position in 2026.
“Smith has not ruled out a return,“ Lewis wrote in his article that was published on March 30. “It doesn’t feel like a decision is imminent, either. The Vikings don’t plan to push him for a decision, knowing they need to plan for the future regardless. Smith is 37 years old. If he plays, he’ll want the chance to bring a Super Bowl to the organization he’s given his career to.”
Moreover, Lewis might be right that a decision won’t come soon. On March 30, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke with the media and shared the latest regarding where the organization stands on allowing Smith to take the time he needs to decide whether he wants to play in 2026.
“He knows how I feel about him, how we feel about him,” O’Connell said (h/t Kevin Seifert of ESPN). “But we also want to be respectful and give him space to kind of continue to figure out what he wants to do.”
Harrison Smith’s Stance on Continuing His Career
Late last season on after the Vikings’ win over the Dallas Cowboys on December 14, Smith was asked by the “Sunday Night Football “panel on NBC regarding his future. Nonetheless, Smith wanted to enjoy the ride and live in the moment as the team is riding a four-game win streak into the last game of the season.
“I’m just enjoying day by day, “Smith said (h/t Vikings Territory). “You know how it is, when you’re getting towards your later years, it’s harder to go to practice, harder to get ready to go every time. On gameday, I always feel ready. I’ve always been on top of my body — my nutrition. Everything. It’s not fancy or anything, but you stay on top of it — it stacks up over the years.”
Vikings HC Announces Latest Update on Harrison Smith’s Future