The Minnesota Vikings have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and that’s all thanks to defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Moreover, the Vikings were able to retain Flores this past offseason despite him taking interviews for head coaching positions.
Nonetheless, Flores is ready for Minnesota to have a top-ranked defense again, which spells bad news for opposing QBs in the NFC North.
Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff gets to see the Vikings twice a season, and since arriving in the division, the veteran signal-caller has spotlighted what Flores does with the safeties that appear to cause him an issue.
“Harrison [Smith] and [Josh] Metellus allowed [for Flores and the Vikings defense] to do things that I’m not sure every other team could do,” Goff told former NFL player Chris Long on the Aug. 24 edition of “Green Light with Chris Long.”
“Those guys were so smart and so confident in what they wanted to do that they were able to hold down and get out of there at the snap with no repercussion. They knew where their problems were and understood the game in that way, which made it really hard.”
Jared Goff Doesn’t Hold Back on Harrison Smith
Moreover, Goff went into detail about why Harrison Smith, who has yet to decide on whether he’ll play this 2026 NFL season, presents a problem for him when facing the Vikings defense.
“Harrison’s been doing it for years, where he stands on the line of scrimmage and plays the deep third, and I’m like, ‘There’s no way we can allow him to do that.'” Goff added. “You can’t let him get away with this. He’s a gold jacket guy, in my opinion. He’s been doing it for, I don’t know, 12 years, 15.
“He got me on one last year, and, yeah, it’s really fun playing against him. It’s very hard. It is challenging, but it is really fun, that chess match and the work that goes into that.”
Last season, Smith showed that he can still produce despite being in his late 30s. He was out on the field for 793 total snaps, leading to a 68.9 defensive grade.
Furthermore, the Vikings veteran allowed an 81.0 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks. Smith surrendered 21 receptions in coverage and also contributed 42 solo tackles in run support and open-field situations.
Vikings LB Blake Cashman on Harrison Smith Situation
With the 2026 season nearing, Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman was recently asked about Smith and whether he believes that the veteran will be back.
“I will say Harry’s earned the right to take as much time as he needs and wants,” Cashman told KFAN’s Dan Cole and Brandon Mileski on Aug. 5. “I’m sure there’s different dialogue between him, his agent, and the coaching staff, but the guy’s earned the right, I think, not to be here for the meantime if that’s what he chooses.
“If he does choose to come back, or not, that’s his decision. We do miss him, and we’ve got to fill that void, but that’s what training camp is for, to get those reps in and practice that.”
Lions QB Jared Goff Gets Candid on Facing Vikings’ Brian Flores