We've now crossed into May, and there is no official indication one way or the other about safety Harrison Smith's future with the Minnesota Vikings. The team did oddly release him with a post-June 1 designation in March, so he's not technically on the roster as he continues to mull his future.
Last season's finale had the tone of a goodbye for Smith, and, inadvertently said by head coach Kevin O'Connell or seemingly comfortably said by a reporter, nothing has really changed that sentiment. But until we hear or see something from the man himself, Smith's plans for the 2026 season will be a mystery.
When O'Connell spoke to reporters after the one day of on-field work at rookie minicamp, he was asked about Smith. The lead-in to the question referenced something rookie safety Jakobe Thomas said about looking forward to meeting Smith and "picking his brain."
O'Connell's facial expression and smile seemed telling, then he said...
"It's good for Jakobe to be breaking news here on his first day."
O'Connell went on to sing the old tune about not knowing what Smith is going to do, and how the communication with him has been ongoing. It's fine and appropriate for O'Connell to say nothing of substance when asked about Smith, but it'd be surprising if the Vikings actually have no idea what's going to happen.
Which brings us back to the root of the question O'Connell was asked about Smith.
What exactly did Thomas say?
A Minnesota Vikings rookie may have revealed Harrison Smith's plans for the 2026 NFL season
With a h/t to VikingzFan Page on Twitter/X, citing the Vikings' mobile app for the video, here's what Thomas said to reporters about Smith.
"We've had a litte bit contact, recently", Thomas said. "We talked a little bit...(I’m) ready to meet him in person again and just connect with him, and soak up as much as I can from him.”
"I'm ready to meet him in person again."
So Thomas has already talked to Smith in person since being drafted, separate from or including the "little bit of contact" the two have had recently.
So there, apparently, is the "breaking news" O'Connell tongue-in-cheekly noted during his press conference.
Without a retirement announcement, and even knowing he'll suit up for the Vikings or no one this season, Smith is regarded as a free agent who could sign with any team. There's nothing nefarious going on if he has had contact with Thomas, but it is interesting.
Regardless of what his plans for the 2026 season are, and who does or doesn't know what his plans are, Smith is still acting like a member of the Vikings if he is mentoring Thomas. At this point, he might as well end the suspense and speculation by officially announcing if he's playing a 15th season or not.
Add us as a preferred source on Google