Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
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Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings have made a flurry of moves throughout the 2026 NFL offseason. Unfortunately, due to cap constraints, the team has been forced to move on from some key players.
Among those players who have parted ways with the Vikings are both safety Harrison Smith and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Smith could still be back with Minnesota for the 2026 season, but that is not a guarantee at this point in time.
According to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Smith hasn’t decided on his future. If he wants to keep playing, the Vikings would welcome him back.
“In a procedural move, the Vikings also have processed Harrison Smith as a post-June 1 release,” Pelissero wrote on X. “The team would welcome Smith back if he decides to play a 15th NFL season. Lines of communication remain open and this move gives him more time to consider his future.”
Whether he returns and retires, Minnesota will need to figure out a long-term replacement for Smith. Now, the Vikings have been linked to a potential option to do just that.
Vikings Linked to Potentially Perfect Harrison Smith Replacement
CBS Sports analyst Josh Edwards has released a new mock draft after the first wave of NFL free agency. In the first round, he has Minnesota taking Oregon standout safety Dillon Thieneman.
“As Minnesota continues to turn the page on last season with a new quarterback and a new general manager, it’ll be looking to identify more difference-makers,” Edwards wrote. “Dillon Thieneman tested off the charts from an athletic perspective and has also been incredibly productive.”
Thieneman played the first two years of his college football career with the Purdue Boilermakers. Last season, he transferred to the Oregon Ducks.
Throughout the course of the 2025 season with the Ducks, Thieneman racked up 92 total tackles to go along with a sack, two interceptions, and five defended passes. He totaled 302 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, eight interceptions, and 13 defended passes in his three college seasons.
Whether or not the Vikings will have interest in Thieneman remains to be seen, but the idea would make a lot of sense with Smith on his way out of the NFL in the near future.
What Has Minnesota Done So Far in NFL Free Agency?
The headline move for Minnesota this offseason has been the signing of former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. He signed a one-year deal with the Vikings and has put them back on the map as a potential contender in the NFC.
Outside of the Murray move, Minnesota has also re-signed linebacker Eric Wilson, signed cornerback James Pierre, re-signed defensive back Tavierre Thomas, and also brought back long snapper Andrew DePaola.
Kevin O’Connell has the makings of a team who could make a playoff run in 2026. Adding Thieneman to the mix would help improve the defense under coordinator Brian Flores.
All of that being said, the 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on April 23. Thieneman is a name worth monitoring for the Vikings.