Smith is entering his third season under Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores. In January, Flores described how much he's enjoyed coaching Smith and bouncing ideas off each other.
"I smile when I think about Harrison, because we're always kind of going back and forth with ideas," Flores said. "I think he thinks I'm a little nutty as far as pushing the limits, but I think he enjoys it, too. I think it's been an opportunity for him to learn and grow, and I put a lot on him, as far as, if we're going to be able to get into that defense, I'm not going to be able to do it.
" 'You're going to have to do it on the field, because I don't know what formation the offense will come out in,' " Flores added. "He's the one that sees it. He's the one that can get us into a different call."
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell is looking forward to a fourth season with Smith, whose 36th career interception finished Minnesota's win at Tennessee last November.
"[Walking off the field] I heard some chants going on, and I was wondering, 'Maybe this is it for me, maybe I've finally arrived,' " O'Connell quipped after the game. "And then I realized Harrison was walking right next to me, and they were saying 'Harry.'
"So, I started chanting, too, because I love him — such an impactful player for this organization," O'Connell said. "How many times has he made a play like that, in a moment like that, where his team needs him and he's there to make the play? One of my all-time favorites. It's not close. I absolutely love Harrison Smith."