Vikings find a way to keep All-Pro S Harrison Smith on the team
One of the Vikings’ best players isn’t going anywhere in 2023.
So far, the Minnesota Vikings' offseason has been full of big decisions.
They've had to make some tough decisions (see Adam Thielen's release), but they've also been able to make some big moves. And, there are more moves to be made when it comes to some of their best players.
One such player is six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith. Reports have been circulating, recently, about Smith's questionable future with the Vikings. Due to cap constraints, there was a strong possibility Smith and the Vikings could part ways.
It's funny how quickly things change in the NFL. On Thursday, the Star Tribune's Ben Goessling reported the two parties worked out a deal that will keep Smith in Minnesota for at least one more year.
Goessling later reported Smith's new deal is worth up to $8 million for this season. $2 million of that can be earned through incentives. The move frees up around $6.7 million in cap space.
Smith is 34, but he can still be an effective player, especially in a starting role. But, it's not just about his on-field production. He is a core leader and has been a team captain for the last three seasons. It's already hard enough to replace production, but it's even harder replacing both production and leadership.
Fortunately, the Vikings don't have to worry about doing either heading into 2023.
