The Vikings got a major answer last weekend when Harrison Smith reportedly agreed to come back for a 15th season, and it’s the kind of move that can shape a defense before the games even start.
Smith is headed for the Vikings’ Ring of Honor and could one day be wearing a gold jacket, so his return carries real weight. Brian Flores’ defense may need to do plenty of heavy lifting while the offense works through a new quarterback and a new running-game scheme, and Smith’s presence matters in that kind of setup. It also gives fans a reason to pull out the No. 22 jerseys again.
But there’s another side to it. Smith is 37 now, not the All-Pro force he once was, and bringing him back squeezes the path for some younger players, including third-round pick Jakobe Thomas and preseason standout Jacob Thomas. That’s where the concern starts to creep in: this could turn into this year’s version of the Adam Thielen reunion unless both sides avoid that trap.
The comparison makes sense because Vikings fans already lived through that wave of nostalgia last year. When the team brought back Thielen from the Carolina Panthers, the receiver room was in rough shape with Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension, Jalen Nailor dealing with a hand injury, and Tai Felton in “redshirt status.”
The Vikings needed a body, a veteran, and somebody who knew Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Thielen checked every box.
At 35, he was viewed as a steady hand on a team with championship hopes. There were other ways to patch the WR3 spot, but Minnesota pushed hard to get the deal done.
According to Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller, Rob Brzezinski even overrode former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to make it happen. And of course, there was the emotional pull of seeing No. 19 back in the building.
The return hit the right notes at first. Thielen got a huge ovation in his home debut before a Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and the crowd reaction was second only to Justin Jefferson’s.
Then the glow faded fast. In 11 games with the Vikings, Thielen finished with just eight catches for 69 scoreless yards.
After being a healthy scratch in the Week 12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, he asked for his release and later became “Pittsburgh Steelers legend Adam Thielen.”
That’s the warning sign hanging over Smith’s comeback. Minnesota could have simply added a receiver and gotten through those first three games last year, and the same logic applies now at safety.
The Vikings’ safety group was one of the quiet wins of the preseason, even after Jamal Adams suffered a torn quadriceps. Josh Metellus was always in line to start, but Jacob Thomas stepped up while Jakobe Thomas and Theo Jackson dealt with injuries. Jacob Thomas finished the preseason as Pro Football Focus’s highest-graded defensive player among qualifiers, posting an overall grade of 92.7.
Jacob Thomas’s ankle injury in the final preseason game does give Smith a little more breathing room. Still, the Vikings have to ask what version of Smith they’re getting after last season.
He also came back a year ago, but an illness in training camp delayed his debut until a Week 3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Even after that, he didn’t log more than 50 snaps in a game until the Week 7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. From Weeks 3 through 13, Smith posted a 58.6 overall grade that ranked 62nd out of 95 qualifying safeties.
Then came the finish. Over the final five games, Smith looked much more like himself, and his 80.3 overall grade ranked eighth among 98 qualifying safeties.
Given that late surge, it would have made sense if he walked away then. Instead, he’s back for what could be another full run.
There’s a clear reason to read Smith’s decision as a positive sign. If he had doubts about the Vikings’ direction, or if he thought they were more like the 4-8 team from the first 12 games than the group that rolled through the “Ready for Cancun” stretch to end the season, he probably wouldn’t have signed up for all 17 games.
Still, Minnesota can’t lose sight of the future. Smith’s football IQ and his value as a coach on the field are hard to replace, but the Vikings also need to develop the players who will eventually take over.
If Smith struggles, the rookies can keep learning behind him. If he plays well, he helps a team that clearly believes it can chase a championship.
That’s the balancing act. If Smith turns into this year’s Adam Thielen, the move could backfire. If he still has plenty left, it might be exactly the kind of return Vikings fans hoped Thielen’s would be.
In Other News...
Safety Scare At Vikings Facility Puts Stadium Readiness Under Pressure
A high school football game at the Vikings TCO Stadium turned into a safety scare when a railing gave way and sent between 20 and 30 students falling several feet. Emergency medical personnel treated the injured on site, and one spectator was taken to the hospital before later being released, leaving the organization to deal with both the immediate aftermath and the optics of a troubling scene at a venue that regularly hosts outside events.
The Vikings are now working with contractors to repair the damaged railing and inspect all railings before the stadium is used again. For a team that takes pride in the condition of its facility, the episode is a reminder that crowd safety is part of stadium readiness too, especially when youth games and other non-Vikings events bring families and students through the building. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Head Into Packers Opener With One Big Roster Concern
The Vikings barely had time to settle in after trimming to their initial 53-man roster before making another round of moves, a reminder that roster building does not stop when the deadline passes. Minnesota signed safety Harrison Smith to a one-year deal and added edge rusher Kyle Van Noy to the practice squad, while also reshuffling the backfield picture by listing Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason as co-starters heading into the season.
All of it lands with Green Bay coming to U.S. Bank Stadium for the opener, which gives every depth-chart wrinkle a little extra weight. The Packers game will offer the first real look at how Minnesota wants to deploy its running backs and how stable the roster really is after the late changes, with one remaining concern still hanging over the group as kickoff approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Still Have 3 Roster Decisions To Make Before Week 1
The Vikings have already spent part of the offseason adding veteran help, but there still may be a few spots on the roster that merit another look before Week 1. Bringing in players like Kyler Murray, Jauan Jennings and Kyle Van Noy gave Minnesota more experience and flexibility, yet the work may not be finished as the team keeps an eye on depth at key positions.
Center Ryan Bates, cornerback Bashaud Breeland and edge rusher Haason Reddick are among the options that could fit what the Vikings are still sorting through. Each would address a different need and offer a different level of proven production, which leaves Minnesota weighing how much more insurance it wants before the regular season opener arrives. [Read more 🡒]