The Minnesota Vikings have work to do on their roster this offseason, including on the back end of their defense.
Minnesota could lose long-time staple Harrison Smith to retirement this offseason. There is also an argument for upgrading the Vikings’ group if at all possible, and that is despite having Josh Metellus and Theo Jackson under contract for next season.
The Vikings could address those issues with a former Washington Commanders draft pick.
Rams’ Kam Curl Predicted to Sign With Vikings
GettyKam Curl #3 of the Los Angeles Rams in action against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Vikings have already notched a big defensive victory, retaining coordinator Brian Flores amid speculation about head coaching vacancies. Still, the Vikings can do more to give Flores the kind of playmakers that will help his system thrive.
CBS Sports’ Jeremy Pereles predicted the Vikings would look to the NFC West for a solution, naming pending Los Angeles Rams free agent Kam Curl as a possible target.
Curl is Pereles’ 34th-best free agent in the upcoming class.
“With Harrison Smith potentially retiring, Minnesota gets his replacement in Curl, a strong-tackling safety who has done solid work with both the Commanders and the Rams,” Pereles wrote on January 28.
Curl was the No. 216 overall pick in the 2020 draft by the Commanders. He just completed his second season with the Rams.
Curl has said he wants to return to LA.
However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote that a deal with LA is unlikely. Spotrac projects he could command a four-year, $40 million contract. That could make Curl a lofty target for the Vikings, who, Over The Cap projects, will be $48.9 million over the limit before making any moves.
Curl turns 27 in March. He set a career high with 122 total tackles, adding 5 pass deflections, 2.0 sacks, and 2 interceptions during the 2025 regular season.
The Vikings’ roster situation will be one to monitor, regardless of any potential interest in Curl.
Latest on Harrison Smith’s Potential Return to Vikings
GettyHarrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Vikings have given the impression that the 2025 season was Smith’s last, but that does not mean the door is closed.
The threat of retirement has loomed for several seasons now, but Smith also remains in play.
“Smith got the last-game treatment in Week 18, subbing out in the final minutes for a home-crowd ovation and hugs from teammates,” Fowler wrote. “That signals a looming retirement. But if he plays a 15th season, the chances of a return to Minnesota would be high. He produced at age 36 with 54 tackles, two interceptions, 10 pass deflections and one sack.”
Smith, who turns 37 on February 2, is a six-time Pro Bowler and was a First Team All-Pro in 2017. His last Pro Bowl selection was in 2021. The Vikings lost starter Camryn Bynum to the Indianapolis Colts last offseason, knowing they had Jackson waiting in the wings.
They could view Jay Ward in a similar light, making a move for Curl unlikely, especially with other areas of arguably greater importance needing to be addressed.
Still, he could add another proven playmaker to the Vikings’ roster on the back end.
The Vikings have leaned on three-safety looks under Flores. Jackson stepped up, and Ward could be ready to make the most of his potential opportunity. If not, the Vikings could pursue Curl as long as it does not significantly hinder their roster flexibility.
Notably, Ward was teammates with Vikings defensive tackle Jonathan Allen in Washington from 2020 through the 2023 season.
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