Harrison Smith’s return is in question for the Vikings, but it feels inevitable
It feels inevitable that Harrison Smith will return for the Minnesota Vikings, but it’s just a matter of time before it happens.
Two days into mandatory minicamp for the Minnesota Vikings and we have a really interesting situation brewing: will Harrison Smith return, and if so, when?
It’s been a major topic of discussion since the Vikings had their season end with a Week 18 win over the Green Bay Packers. That ended up accellerating when the Vikings designated Smith a post-June 1st cut, but it was strictly for salary cap concerns.
There are many reasons to believe Smith will either return or stay retired, and figuring out which ones matter and which ones won’t is currently the discussion.
Vikings are holding out hope Harrison Smith returns
The vibe surrounding the team is that Smith will eventually return. It’s something that has been echoed by the beat writers, and you can read between the lines. With mandatory minicamp being the time where the media gets to speak with players and coaches, there is time to ask about Smith’s future. Josh Metellus got multiple questions about Smith, echoing how things are different without him, but also that he’d love to have him back.
“At the end of the day, he’s played a lot of football. Obviously, I would love to have him back in this building, but he’s a growing man, family man. He has a lot of things he wants to focus on right now, so I’m kind of letting that be, but we’re big open arms if he wants to come in this building at any time.”
Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus
It speaks volumes that a captain like Metellus continues to speak highly of Smith, and he would be allowed to do more of what he does best with him in the lineup. Metellus’ words also say a lot with one thing: this could become a Brett Favre situation where we are hoping he returns but it doesn’t happen until later in the game.
With everything going on and Smith inching closer to 40 years old every day, don’t be surprised if he does come back, but it’s on his terms, and after the majority of training camp and maybe the season has already taken place.
After all, this is the same guy who was working construction last offseason before deciding to return.