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It was only a matter of time before the Vikings extended their All-Pro safety, and that became official just two weeks prior to the team’s regular season opener in Cincinnati.
Harrison Smith has been a staple to the Mike Zimmer defense for years and it looks as if it’s going to stay that way for the near future. Smith has played in 130 games over the course of his career totaling 28 interceptions, 747 tackles, 13.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.
The Hall of Fame type numbers don’t always come with the recognition, as Smith was left off the NFL Top 100 in 2021. However, it sounds like the Vikings know the value he brings to the table, as the $64 million extension marks him as the second highest paid safety in the NFL.
The 32-year-old has plenty of gas left in the tank and deserved big money to stay home in Minnesota. Zimmer’s defense needs to have a bounce back year and Smith will likely be one of the biggest pieces if the turnaround is successful.
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