2 Vikings are holding a retirement appearance, and here’s what it means for Harrison Smith originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Minnesota Vikings have scheduled two retirement press conferences for next week.
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Harrison Smith isn’t one of them.
And that could have wide-ranging implications for the season ahead.
The two pressers that are scheduled? Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham.
The Minnesota-native WR, and the long-term Vikings fullback Ham, are both calling it quits.
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According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, the Vikings are releasing Smith, but it’s not about kicking him out of Minnesota.
Lewis explained it like this in that same post on X:
“The Vikings will process S Harrison Smith as a post-June 1 release this afternoon, per source. This is procedural. Harrison’s decision for 2026 remains up in the air. The team would welcome his return. This allows him more time. All sides have been in contact & in agreement.”
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The Vikings essentially clear Smith’s salary from their books and can proceed with the offseason.
If Smith eventually decides to return, Minnesota can figure out how best to fit his new contract and make it work.
Smith was the No. 29 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame.
He has played 207 games in his legendary Vikings career.
He has 39 interceptions in his time in the NFL, all with Minnesota.
Whether his career is done or not? Stay tuned, because it doesn’t seem decided yet.
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