Entering the 2026 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings had two big questions awaiting a resolution. Would Jonathan Greenard be traded? And what's going on with Harrison Smith? The answers to either or both of those questions would likely go a long way to shaping their draft strategy.
Of course, Greenard has been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for two third-round picks. But not using any of their first three picks on a safety, when some good ones were available at nearly every turn, offered a strong hint Smith is returning for a 15th season in purple.
The latest update about Smith's future before the draft was not promising for the idea that he is going to suit up this fall, and of course, he's technically not even on the roster after the odd move to release him earlier this offseason.
The Vikings used the last of their four Day 2 picks on a safety, bringing Jakobe Thomas out of the University of Miami into the fold. His versatility and football IQ certainly fit Brian Flores' defense, as the draft (apparently unintended going in) has focused on that side of the ball thus far.
Minnesota Vikings may have spilled the beans about Harrison Smith's future
Speaking to the media after Day 2 of the draft, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, of course, got to talking about Thomas. OnSI's Will Ragatz shared what could be a telling quote.
"I know Flo is incredibly excited about him as a communicator and his upside, football IQ, in a year that Harrison Smith has moved on, we obviously are always on the lookout at that position for great value."
The Athletic's Alec Lewis offered a quick rebuttal to Ragatz's sharing of that quote, suggesting it's much ado about nothing as the Vikings continue to give Smith all the time he needs to make a decision about his future.
Still, as continuing to play has become a year-to-year proposition for him, Smith has usually made a decision to return well before now.
It's never an easy decision to call it a career, of course, but that he still hasn't decided means retirement is possibly on his radar more legitimately than it has been in previous years.
The Vikings surely know which way Smith is leaning, and drafting Thomas isn't necessarily an indicator that he's going to retire in the coming weeks or months. But O'Connell's "has moved on" quote still stands on the record, even if one beat writer instantly dismissed it as meaning anything.
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