Harrison Smith isn’t going anywhere. According to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, Smith has agreed to a new deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Terms of the contract restructure weren’t immediately known, though NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says Smith will get $8 million in 2023 with $2 million more possible through incentives.
Harrison Smith is staying in Minnesota; the #Vikings reached a new agreement that will keep the safety with the team.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) March 16, 2023
With the restructure, Goessling estimates that it’ll save the Vikings $6.7 million against the salary cap this season.
Cutting or trading Smith would’ve the Vikings $7.3 million on the 2023 salary cap, while continuing forward without restructuring the deal would’ve cost the Vikings $19.1 million against the cap this season and then $22 million in 2024 and 2025, according to OverTheCap.
Earlier this week, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, who is leaving Minnesota to cover the Broncos in Denver, said Smith sent him a photo of music icon and Minnesota native Prince when he asked about his contract situation.
When I recently texted #Vikings safety Harrison Smith to ask about his contract situation, he simply sent back this photo of Prince. Since Prince is a Minnesota icon, I asked if that means he’s sticking around. But I didn’t hear back. pic.twitter.com/8H76kDuSAa
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 14, 2023
And Smith’s Instagram story Thursday morning is that same picture but with his nickname “Hitman” on the hat.
This is Harrison Smith’s Instagram story. Effing phenomenal. pic.twitter.com/eeqJ6c3B3E
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) March 16, 2023
While Smith’s five interceptions last season tied a career high (he had five in 2014 and 2020), his overall coverage grade, according to PFF, dropped to its lowest since 2018.
After Devin McCourty’s retirement Monday, Smith is now tied with former Viking Patrick Peterson as the league’s active career interception leader (34). Peterson spent the past two seasons with the Vikings and announced Monday that he’s signing with the Steelers.
Smith has played his entire career in Minnesota after the Vikings drafted the Notre Dame safety 29th overall in the 2012.
