Minnesota Vikings Player No. 6
Harrison Smith - S
Fans of the Minnesota Vikings don't really want to think about a defense without Harrison Smith at safety. However, the former first-round draft pick will be 35 years old by the time the 2024 NFL season rolls around.
Not only is age creeping up on Smith, but releasing him next offseason could save the Vikings nearly $11.4 million on the salary cap and allow them to address other needs while getting younger at safety.
It hurts to see popular players leave the Vikings but the NFL is a business and It is time to see Minnesota stop holding onto the past and have them preparing for possibly being future Super Bowl contenders.
Smith should be productive again in 2023, making the decision to move on from him even more difficult. Despite that, Minnesota Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah seems like a proactive enough person to do what needs to be done.