Report: Harrison Smith Planning to Retire; Vikings to Re-Sign Young Talented DBs

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Minnesota Vikings, Harrison Smith
Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

All good things must come to an end. For the past few years, Harrison Smith has talked about what the end of his career could look like. In 2024, the Minnesota Vikings were way better than expected and Smith has enjoyed the success; rejuvenated, one could say.

In fact, there has even been chatter among insider circles that Harry the Hitman may be pondering a 14th NFL season in 2025, especially if Brian Flores returns as defensive coordinator, who Smith has built a strong relationships with, over the past two years.

Report: Minnesota Vikings secondary will lose Harrison Smith this offseason

Don’t tell that to local columnist and insider Charley Walters (Pioneer Press), who wrote pretty matter of factly on Sunday that the 29th overall pick from the 2012 NFL Draft is planning to retire when the season is over (see below).

Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

With Smith hanging up his cleats, head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores (or his replacement) will need to trust other players to lead the Vikings’ secondary. And according to Walters, they have a post Harrison Smith plan in place that includes extensions for both Byron Murphy Jr and (probably) Cam Bynum.

“It’s clear the Vikings will re-sign cornerback Byron Murphy, who has six interceptions this season, and probably safety Cam Bynum, because it’s unlikely Harrison Smith, who turns 36 next month after 13 seasons, will return.”

Charley Walters on the Vikings secondary (Pioneer Press)

During his illustrious Minnesota Vikings career, Harrison Smith has played in 192 regular season games. He has racked up 1,126 total tackles, has 37 interceptions, and 20.5 career interceptions.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection, and one-time All-Pro is likely to be a strong candidate for enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. No doubt he will be a Vikings Ring of Honor member very quickly.

Byron Murphy Jr and Cam Bynum receiving extensions?

Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. just finished his second regular season in Minnesota, where the soon-to-be 27-year-old has taken his game to another level, intercepting NINE passes (including a career-high six INTs in 2024) and defending another 27.

Related: Vikings Insider Warns: Do Not Discount Kevin O’Connell Trade Rumors…

That’s four more interceptions than he ever got his hands on during his four seasons with the Cardinals, where Murphy Jr intercepted a total of just 5 passes. Murphy Jr has stepped up his tackle game too. In 2024, he totalled 81 tackles, the most of his career and 24 more than he got in 2023 (57).

Byron Murphy Jr. signed a two-year ($17.5 million) deal, prior to the 2023 season, and he is due for a raise in 2025. With aging veterans like Stephon Gilmore’s and Shaq Griffin’s respective returns up in the air, Murphy Jr. the Minnesota Vikings need a skilled, veteran cornerback they can rely on for the foreseeable future.

A former fourth-round pick, Bynum has a career-best three interceptions this season. His 96 tackles didn’t match the 137 he put up last season, but he has cemented himself alongside Smith at the back of the defense.

Related: Another Minnesota Vikings Coach Looking for a Promotion

Still on his rookie deal, four years for just under $4.2 million, Bynum is going to get more than that total on an annual basis. Minnesota needs to continue putting a strong foot forward on the defensive side. Continuity is one way to achieve that.

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