Minnesota Vikings must extend Anthony Harris for long-term future success

Minnesota Vikings, Anthony Harris #41 (Photo by Tom Dahlin/Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings, Anthony Harris #41 (Photo by Tom Dahlin/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Vikings franchise tendered safety Anthony Harris but if they want to continue having long-term future success, they must extend him for years to come.

At this point in time, the Minnesota Vikings made the right decision earlier this week in franchise tendering safety Anthony Harris. The five-year veteran is entering some of the prime years of his career as it’s imperative the Vikings do the right thing and extend his contract. Not only to pay him what he deserves to earn for being one of the best safeties in the NFL but to keep him wearing a Vikings jersey for many years to come.

It’s no secret that Harris is ready to push the envelope and do his part to continue the success the Vikings have been enjoying as of late. In the last five seasons that he’s been holding it down on the Vikings’ defense, they’ve made the playoffs in three of those years in 2015, 2017, and 2019 respectively. The window of opportunity is there for the Vikings to truly make a statement as they do their best to continue being a playoff-contending team.

A big way to continue that success is to take care of their own players. Harris has been playing at an elite level and is a fantastic leader to have in the locker room that exemplifies hard work, integrity, and giving it your all every single time you’re on the football field. This is the kind of player to build around as the Vikings must do whatever it takes to lock him into a long-term contract to continue their quest at finally winning a Super Bowl championship.

Anthony Harris deserves a long-term contract with the Minnesota Vikings

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Speaking of which, it’s crazy to believe that over the entire franchise history of the Vikings, they’ve never won a single Super Bowl. They’ve gotten close and made it all the way to the big game four times but unfortunately, always came short of finally hoisting a Vince Lombardi trophy.

At any rate, making decisions like this with a cornerstone player such as Harris will only help the cause. That way, it secures one of their best defensive players for the future and also rewards him for all that he’s done for the franchise. Harris has publically made it known that he wants to stick around with the Vikings for the future as now it’s all about turning that into reality.

If the Vikings don’t give Harris a new extended contract, he’ll make $11.4 million this upcoming season due to being franchise tendered. They have until July 15 to make it happen as there isn’t a rush at the moment but needless to say, the sooner this gets done, the sooner both sides can focus on training camp and prepare for 2020.

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Overall, Harris undoubtedly deserves a new contract extension to ensure he continues doing what he does best on the Vikings’ defense. Not only is he coming off his best season yet with 60 tackles, one fumble recovery, and six interceptions, but he’s going to be a centerpiece on defense for a very long time. It’s time to show the football world that the Vikings are serious about contending as this will send a great message that they’re rewarding one of their best players with a well deserved long-term contract.