Harrison Smith has yet to decide on his future, including whether he wants to play in the 2026 NFL season for the Minnesota Vikings. Moreover, the team doesn’t appear to be in a rush to pressure him into making a decision.
The question is whether Smith wants to put his body through the grind of another NFL season at 37. Nonetheless, last season the veteran safety showed he can still play at a high level required to play in the league.
As a result, SKOR North’s Phil Mackey believes that Smith has another season in him. Furthermore, it would be ideal for Minnesota given all that he brings to the table.
“[The Vikings defense] is so much different, even if you get an aging 70 percent of what he used to be, Harrison Smith, just all the football IQ, having an assistant coach on the field,” Mackey said on the May 12 edition of “Purple Daily.”
“And if he’s not out there, even if he’s not in the room, I think his value in the room throughout the week at practice, film study, all of those things have been felt for a decade and a half. I think he comes back. I think he comes back.
“They’ve had kind of top-five-ish defenses for two years. If he comes back, why wouldn’t they also still have an awesome defense, a top-10 defense at worst?”
Vikings’ Current Situation Could Tempt Harrison Smith
Smith earned a 68.9 overall PFF defensive grade for the 2025 season. He recorded two interceptions on the season and broke up three passes in coverage.
Additionally, the Vikings veteran allowed an 81.0 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks, surrendered 21 receptions in coverage, and contributed 42 solo tackles in run support and open-field situations.
With Minnesota looking to challenge for the NFC North this season with potentially improved play from the QB now that Kyler Murray is in the fold to challenge J.J. McCarthy, Mackey believes that can entice Smith to run it back again.
“If you’re him, you could talk yourself into, ‘Man, we’ve won 13 and 14 games a couple times with Kevin O’Connell,’” Mackey added. “Even without any semblance of consistent high-level quarterback play, [the Vikings] still won nine games and had the best defense in the league the last half of the season, 13 points a game allowed the last month and a half.
“Boy, if Kyler or J.J. takes a step, you could talk yourself into, [if you are] Harrison Smith, [that] this is a Super Bowl-contending situation, and I can ride off into the sunset.”
Jakobe Thomas Sends Blunt Message to Harrison Smith
Meanwhile, Mackey isn’t the only one hoping Smith returns for another season with Minnesota. Former Miami Hurricanes star Jakobe Thomas, who the Vikings selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, stated on May 8 that he’s been in contact with Smith and hopes the veteran can serve as a mentor.
“We’ve had a little bit of contact recently,“ Thomas said. “We talked a little bit, you know, ready to meet him in person again and just connect with him and soak up as much as I can from him.”
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