How long of an extension should the Vikings give to Harrison Smith?
By Adam Patrick
Minnesota Vikings veteran safety Harrison Smith is reportedly heading towards a new contract this year.
Throughout their history, the Minnesota Vikings have seen plenty of players walk through their doors and fail to live up to their expectations. For safety Harrison Smith, he is not someone who is a part of this group.
In 2012, the Vikings traded back into the first round of that year’s NFL Draft to select Smith out of the University of Notre Dame. Since then, all the talented safety has done is establish himself as a leader of Minnesota’s defense while earning five trips to the Pro Bowl and one First-Team All-Pro selection.
Smith only has one year left on his current contract with the Vikings, but it’s beginning to sound like his tenure with the franchise will continue past the upcoming season.
Minnesota Vikings expected to discuss an extension with Harrison Smith
At 32-years-old, Smith is getting closer to his time ending in the NFL. But for now, he’s still able to perform at a high level and Minnesota wants to make sure his career continues in purple and gold.
According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, the Vikings are expected to begin talks with Smith soon about a possible extension for the talented safety.
During Rick Spielman‘s tenure as the team’s general manager, Minnesota typically hasn’t given contract extensions to players over the age of 30. But Smith also isn’t a typical player.
The Vikings safety has been able to maintain a consistent level of play throughout his career in the NFL and his numbers are comparable to some of the best safeties to ever step foot in the league.
Given his age and the possibility that his performance could actually begin to trend in the wrong direction soon, a two-year extension with the option for a third year is something that Minnesota should consider for Smith.
This allows the Vikings to keep the top safety on their defense for a few more seasons while also not being locked down to a longer multi-year extension.
The fact that it’s being reported now that Minnesota is looking to extend Smith should not come as a surprise to anyone. He’s earned a new contract and hopefully, the Vikings are able to work something out with him to keep him on their roster past the 2021 season.