Anthony Harris Signs Franchise Tag with Vikings but Goal is Reportedly Still Long-Term

Ready for another journey…Just so it’s no question what my expectations are and what type of energy I’m bringing for 2020… ??? Let’s Go!!! pic.twitter.com/ZasJ0yAyes

— Ant Harris (@HOOSDatDude) May 17, 2020

Pretty obvious conclusion here from Anthony Harris’ post, but I’m told the Vikings safety has indeed signed his franchise tender. https://t.co/sOAeLQFKiW

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) May 17, 2020

Safety, Anthony Harris has officially signed a contract to remain in a Vikings jersey for his sixth consecutive NFL season. He is now set to make $11.44 million on a one-year franchise-tag deal. This isn’t a surprise and might not even be the contract Harris plays under.

Anthony mentions it a bit in his post but multiple reporters have also confirmed that he and the Vikings continue their efforts to work out a long-term agreement for 2020 and beyond, even with the franchise tag now signed.

Post-draft, Harris knows for sure he’ll be in Minnesota in 2020. So he figured no reason not to sign the franchise tender. Goal is still to negotiate a long-term deal. #Vikings https://t.co/LHJrKHEytx

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) May 17, 2020

Next order of business is the Vikings working out a long-term deal with Harris. They have until July 15 at 3 PM. So, there’s still quite a bit of time. https://t.co/t2DqZ7nZPT

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) May 17, 2020

I don’t know that the Vikings have a huge incentive to sign Harris long-term, at this point in time. If they were forced to cut the roster down tomorrow, they’d still have about $10 million to play with entering the season.

With free agency now beyond stale and the draft in the rear-view mirror… I’m not sure why they would want to bind themselves to Harris‘ future unless they find specific use for the extra money. All of that is before you even get into the unknown that still looms for football in 2020.

Plus, I’d think an extension for Harrison Smith would be higher on their priority list if the Vikings were going to use their VERY talented safeties to free up cash… Zimmer himself has mentioned the unlikelihood of spending big long-term money on two safeties.

If you were going to splurge on two players at that position though… you’d do it on Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris who both rank in the top-3 for starting safeties in the NFL, according to PFF.

Just succumbed to a PFF subscription because of this thread…

PFF NFL Safety Rank (w/starting reps):
1. Anthony Harris (MIN) – 91.1
2. Justin Simmons (DEN) – 90.8
3. Harrison Smith (MIN) – 88.4 https://t.co/xNPyfgYVLG

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) May 8, 2020

I’m just happy to have something semi-breaking to write about again…

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan