Harrison Smith safety Minnesota Vikings
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 04: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on after the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
After a 2025 offseason that saw the Minnesota Vikings make numerous free agent additions on multiple areas of the team, March 2026 has been far more cautious and restrained with the team adding just one external acquisition to date – cornerback James Pierre.
The Vikings have also faced a string of departures with center Ryan Kelly retiring, and defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen being released on Wednesday.
Now, the team is making what will likely be the most somber of all of their hard decisions this offseason, as they are moving off 37-year old veteran safety Harrison Smith, who has spent his entire 14-year career to date with the Vikings.
Ben Goessling
The #Vikings will release Harrison Smith with a post-June 1 designation today, per source. It’s a procedural move, since Smith had a $25 million base salary guarantee for 2027 that was set to trigger later this week, but the Vikings would still welcome his return and they’ve
Vikings Release All-Pro Safety Harrison Smith
“TheVikings will release Harrison Smith with a post-June 1 designation today, per source. It’s a procedural move, since Smith had a $25 million base salary guarantee for 2027 that was set to trigger later this week, but the Vikings would still welcome his return and they’ve talked with him about the move.” The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling reported on Wednesday.
“Smith has not made his decision about whether he’ll play a 15th season; this move will give him time to consider the choice while freeing a roster spot.”
As Goessling notes, Smith was cut with a post-June 1st designation, meaning that the team will incur a $3 million dead cap hit in 2026 and a $7.6 million hit in 2027.
More to follow…