The Minnesota Vikings announce Monday that they’ve exercised the fifth-year options on the contracts of safety Harrison Smith and left tackle Matt Kalil.
The Pioneer Press says it was a “no-brainer” to pick up Smith’s $5.278 million option. Kalil is due to make $11.096 million in 2016 and it’s somewhat unclear if the Vikings would exercise his option.
Harrison Smith on option picked up: “Yeah, it’s a good feeling knowing that the team wants to be around and just keep what we got going.’’
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) May 4, 2015
Harrison Smith on extension: "Obviously, I want to be with the Vikings. I want to stay here… That other stuff will take care of itself.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) May 4, 2015
The common opinion on both players, as outlined by the Star Tribune about a month ago, is that Smith plays like a Pro Bowl-caliber safety while Kalil has regressed since making the Pro Bowl in 2012.
The options are guaranteed only if a player is injured, so if Kalil struggles again in 2015 the Vikings can release him without paying him a dime of his 2016 option.
Smith finished the 2014 season with 93 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 5 interceptions but wasn’t named to the Pro Bowl. Pro Football Focus named Smith to its 2014 PFF All-Pro team, saying Smith could soon challenge San Diego’s Eric Weddle for bragging rights as the best safety in the NFL.
.@HarriSmith22 currently ranks 4th among all safeties since entering the league in 2012 with 10 interceptions.
— Vikings Communications (@VikingsPR) May 4, 2015
