When it comes to the history of the Minnesota Vikings, there are few players who have the historical footprint of Harrison Smith. Originally a first-round pick by the Vikings in the 2012 NFL Draft (29th overall), Smith has become one of the greatest players to put on a purple and gold uniform, and with each game, he’s getting closer to earning a gold jacket and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The latest step toward Canton came as the Vikings improved to 6-0 in Sunday’s 16-10 win against the Indianapolis Colts. With the Colts looking to execute a game-winning drive with under two minutes to go, Smith intercepted Daniel Jones to secure the victory and his 40th career interception.
With the pick, Smith became the third player in NFL history to record 40 interceptions and 20 sacks during his career, joining Ronde Barber and Charles Woodson. With both players currently in the Hall of Fame, it would seem like a positive step, but the Vikings could help him kick the door down by helping him capture an elusive championship.
Harrison Smith’s Hall of Fame resume is missing a championship
Smith is a legend in Minnesota after spending all 15 of his seasons with the franchise. In part due to his longevity, Smith’s name is all over the Vikings’ record books, most notably ranking third in games played (212) and fourth in interceptions (39).
Sunday’s accomplishment is another one he can present to the selection committee when it’s time to consider him for the Hall of Fame, but it is also a complicated case due to a career that’s flown under the radar nationally.
One of the things working against Smith is that he’s been more of a consistent performer than a splashy one. While some players in the Hall of Fame have historically significant seasons, he has recorded two or more interceptions in 11 of his 15 seasons but has never had a season with more than five interceptions.
Smith’s 21.5 sacks are also a testament to his consistency, as he’s had at least one sack in 11 seasons but no more than three in a single campaign.
Because of that, Smith is a six-time Pro Bowler but earned only a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2017 and a Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2018.
In addition, Smith was left off the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s. Part of this wasn’t Smith’s fault, as the NFL eliminated the two-team format in favor of one 53-man roster. But it’s also an honor, as roughly 90 percent of players who made previous All-Decade Teams were eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Perhaps the biggest factor working against Smith, however, may be the Vikings' lack of playoff success. In his 15 seasons, the Vikings only went to the NFC Championship Game in 2017, and they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 38-7 when they got there. Smith has also advanced past the Wild Card round twice during his career, including the 2019 season when the Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints, but promptly lost to the San Francisco 49ers.
Minnesota Vikings’ admiration for Smith could push them toward a championship
With this in mind, it could be why Smith decided to return before taking the entire offseason and this summer’s training camp to contemplate his future. While Smith entered Sunday’s game with just seven tackles and three pass defenses in the first five games, his value to the Vikings runs much deeper than stats, which is why it triggered an emotional response when he recorded his first interception of the year.
“You just want to embrace it and watch them experience it because…you feel the love from all of our fans, our sideline, our coaches, our players, our staff. I told him after the game that feeling is selfishly for all of us, which is why we wanted him to come back so badly,” Kevin O’Connell said after the game. “To experience that and watch him make a huge play to close out the football game, it was a great play by Hitman and a great moment for him.
“He’s such a leader, such a dynamic part of this team, and yet so organically himself. I think that’s what resonates with all of us. Fans, coaches, players. We absolutely love him.”
That level of respect and admiration is key, and it could make Smith’s last shot at a championship his best one. After defeating the Colts, the Vikings are 6-0 and likely headed toward the playoffs. If they keep winning, they could have a shot at the No. 1 seed, which would give Minnesota a first-round bye and lead the path to the Super Bowl through Minneapolis.
If the Vikings can get to the big game, that would be another line in Smith’s resume. And if the Vikings could win the Super Bowl, it could be the missing piece that helps Smith claim his rightful spot in Canton.
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