The primary reason Harrison Smith returned to the Vikings is a happy surprise
Harrison Smith has been the leader of the Minnesota Vikings defense for the better part of a decade. It wasn’t until this offseason when Vikings fans first tussled with the idea of losing the six-time Pro Bowler. Smith turned 34 this offseason and found himself in a unique position. On Tuesday, Smith admitted to weighing […]
Harrison Smith has been the leader of the Minnesota Vikings defense for the better part of a decade. It wasn’t until this offseason when Vikings fans first tussled with the idea of losing the six-time Pro Bowler.
Smith turned 34 this offseason and found himself in a unique position. On Tuesday, Smith admitted to weighing his options between returning to Minnesota in 2023, signing elsewhere, or even retiring from football completely.
"I thought about it for sure," Smith said. "It's human nature. I think about other things and other places.”
Thankfully Smith is back in the purple and gold for Year 12. It’s difficult to imagine him playing in another uniform, but it was nearly a reality Vikings fans had to face.
On the determining factors that led to his return, Smith listed new defensive coordinator Brian Flores as "honestly a big draw in staying here."
"I like his mentality," Smith added. "I like, just the first few days, how he kind of relays information and how he thinks about things."
Smith’s best football was played in Mike Zimmer’s aggressive defensive system. In his eight years under Zimmer, Smith blitzed at least 35 times in each season, per Pro Football Focus. That is compared to just 14 times last season under failed defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.
Flores’ defense features plenty of blitzing and puts an emphasis on man coverage. Even at 34 years old, Smith could be in line to turn in a Pro Bowl caliber campaign if he stays healthy.
Roster turnover is a guarantee in the NFL, but losing Smith would cost the Vikings more than just on-field production. Here’s to hoping Flores is able to milk the last few ounces of elite football out of Smith in 2023.
