The Vikings are bringing back a key player for a 14th season.
Safety Harrison Smith, 36, and Minnesota agreed to a restructured contract, the Vikings announced Wednesday.
A source told ESPN that the one-year deal will pay Smith approximately $10 million in 2025.
Smith, an emotional leader nicknamed “The Hitman,” has spent his entire career in the Twin Cities after he was drafted out of Notre Dame in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Known for big hits and forcing impact turnovers in big moments, Smith has totaled 1,117 career tackles, the most by a Vikings defensive back.
He’s recorded 37 interceptions, including five in 2014, 2017 and 2020; 20.5 sacks; 48 tackles for loss; 96 passes defensed; 12 forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries.
Last season, Smith started 16 games for Minnesota and became the sixth player in NFL history to record at least 35 interceptions and 20 sacks, joining five members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, according to the team.
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.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell is looking forward to a fourth season with Smith.
“[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 said after a Smith interception secured a win against the Titans last season. ”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. 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.”
Smith, a 6-time Pro Bowler, is considered a future Hall of Fame player.