Smith staying with Vikings on reworked contract

  • Kevin SeifertMar 12, 2025, 09:36 PM ET

    Close

      Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia.

Harrison Smith will remain with the Minnesota Vikings for a 14th season, with the sides agreeing to a revised contract for 2025.

A source told ESPN that the one-year deal will pay Smith approximately $10 million this upcoming season.

Smith, the second of the Vikings’ two first-round picks in 2012, also took time after both the 2022 and 2023 seasons to decide whether he wanted to continue his career. He decided to return on both occasions, citing his appreciation of coach Kevin O’Connell’s style as well as the creativity and innovation that coordinator Brian Flores brought to the team’s defensive scheme.

Playing the past two seasons under Flores, Smith was responsible for many of the pre-snap reads and calls that made the Vikings’ coverages difficult for opposing quarterbacks.

Smith, 36, was not quite the playmaker he had been earlier in his career, recording a total of three interceptions, four sacks and three forced fumbles in 33 games since the start of the 2023 season. But Flores said on multiple occasions that Smith’s presence allowed him to add complexity to his game plans.

In 13 seasons, Smith has intercepted 37 passes, defended a total of 96 passes, recorded 20.5 sacks and made 1,126 tackles. He was named an All-Pro in 2017 and has been invited to six Pro Bowls.

Joan Haslett
Read More

Latest

One of the Best Movies of 2025 is Finally Coming to Prime Video

There were a lot of great movies in 2025. Movies like Sinners, Marty Supreme, Weapons, and even Superman not only captured moviegoers attention, but delivered solid entertainment and great stories as well. They’re films that fans keep returning to well after their theatrical runs have ended and now, one of the best of the year

Oregon Sues Oklahoma Transfer Over Alleged Unpaid $10K NIL Contract Buyout

The University of Oregon says one of its former football players owes it $10,000, and the school is willing to go to court to get it. The school filed a lawsuit in Lane County Circuit Court last week against Dakoda Fields, a defensive back who spent two years with the Ducks before transferring to Oklahoma

Breaking Down Ole Miss’ Strengths, Weaknesses and One Thing It Needs to Beat LSU

The hottest location in college football this year brings LSU and Ole Miss together for a matchup that should be as close are expected. Both teams are rebuilt through the transfer portal and new coaching staffs, and this Sept. 19 matchup will be the first big test for either squad. So what gives Ole Miss

What are Indiana Football’s Biggest Trap Games of 2026?

Where will Indiana be ranked to start the 2026 college football season? While debate will rage regardless of the number next to Indiana's name to start the year, the Hoosiers will likely be favored in no fewer than 11 of their 12 regular season contests. That doesn't mean there won't be challenges along the way

Newsletter

Don't miss

One of the Best Movies of 2025 is Finally Coming to Prime Video

There were a lot of great movies in 2025. Movies like Sinners, Marty Supreme, Weapons, and even Superman not only captured moviegoers attention, but delivered solid entertainment and great stories as well. They’re films that fans keep returning to well after their theatrical runs have ended and now, one of the best of the year

Oregon Sues Oklahoma Transfer Over Alleged Unpaid $10K NIL Contract Buyout

The University of Oregon says one of its former football players owes it $10,000, and the school is willing to go to court to get it. The school filed a lawsuit in Lane County Circuit Court last week against Dakoda Fields, a defensive back who spent two years with the Ducks before transferring to Oklahoma

Breaking Down Ole Miss’ Strengths, Weaknesses and One Thing It Needs to Beat LSU

The hottest location in college football this year brings LSU and Ole Miss together for a matchup that should be as close are expected. Both teams are rebuilt through the transfer portal and new coaching staffs, and this Sept. 19 matchup will be the first big test for either squad. So what gives Ole Miss

What are Indiana Football’s Biggest Trap Games of 2026?

Where will Indiana be ranked to start the 2026 college football season? While debate will rage regardless of the number next to Indiana's name to start the year, the Hoosiers will likely be favored in no fewer than 11 of their 12 regular season contests. That doesn't mean there won't be challenges along the way

Green steel startup Boston Metal is doubling down on critical metals

The startup Boston Metal has raised a $75 million funding round to produce critical metals, MIT Technology Review can exclusively report.   The company has been known largely for its efforts to clean up steel production, an industry that's responsible for about 8% of global greenhouse emissions today. With the additional money, the new focus could

Tesla’s Business Has Become Much More Diversified in Just the Past Five Years. Does That Make Its Stock a Better Buy Today?

Key Points Tesla's energy generation and storage segment generated 27% revenue growth last year. The company's non-automotive segments were able to help offset a double-digit decline in auto revenue in 2025. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is known for its electric vehicles (EVs), and while they

WD sees sustainability as key business driver in an ‘AI economy’

Hard drive company WD promoted long-term operations and sustainability executive Jackie Jung to become its first chief sustainability officer in February, as it steps up sales to companies building AI data centers. Her vision: Turn sustainability into a “brand” for WD, a strategy that reduces risk for the $6 billion company (formerly known as Western

5 Business Ideas Worth Starting in 2026

If there is one thing Nigerians understand well, it is how to spot opportunity inside hardship. In 2026, that mindset will matter more than ever. The economy is tough, competition is rising, and many people are looking for smarter ways to earn, build, and survive. But even in a difficult environment, some businesses still stand