Kevin O’Connell Shares Harrison Smith Update
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell acquired in entrance of a microphone on Monday afternoon, the ultimate time he’ll accomplish that earlier than the 2026 NFL Draft. Among many questions, O’Connell answered one about longtime security Harrison Smithsaying he is giving Smith loads of area and hinting that Smith is greater than welcome to return for Year No. 15.
The Vikings nonetheless haven’t got public closure on Smith, and O’Connell’s newest feedback saved that uncertainty alive.
No one has heard from Smith in about 3.5 months.
O’Connell’s Comments Left the Door Open on Smith’s Future
Do you suppose Smith will probably be again another time?
O’Connell on Smith
Asked if he’d been in touch with Smith, who turned 37 in February, O’Connell said“It’s been a few days, but now that you remind me, I’ll probably bug him today. It’s something where we’re still trying to give Harrison as much space as possible, and I think he’s earned that. If it’s anything at this point, it’s seeing how he’s doing, how seeing his family is, seeing how his golf game is.”
The Vikings and their followers stated goodbye to Smith throughout a Week 18 dub over the Green Bay Packers in January, however quickly after, most anticipated a proper retirement announcement. That has not occurred.
Wait-and-See Is Taking a Long Time
Speaking of Week 18, that was actually the final time anybody has heard from Smith. In the previous, he has locked in his choice to return, normally in February or March, and the Vikings constructed a defensive depth chart accordingly.
This 12 months is totally different.
Defeating the Packers within the ultimate sport of 2025 certain felt like Smith’s send-off, however when the offseason acquired all the way down to brass tacks, Smith principally stated and did nothing. In truth, his longtime teammates, Adam Thielen and CJ Ham, expressly retired, following a routine cycle of 1 asserting his exit from the game. Smith did not partake.
Because he hasn’t retired, most followers have gingerly assumed that Smith will probably be again for another hurrah. But, you already know, he finally has to affirm that.
The Viking Age‘s Brad Berreman lately noted on Smith“It’s worth noting that an undisclosed health issue sidelined Smith during training camp last summer, and ramping back up to football shape caused him to miss the first two games of the season. But he played the remaining 15 games and played fairly well.”
“All things considered, the Vikings surely have an idea what Smith is going to do and have continued to plan based on it. Smith would surely not be overly keen on participating in voluntary offseason work at this stage of his career, and he’d surely be given a lot of leeway in terms of reporting to or doing a lot of padded work at training camp.”
The Vikings have not fielded a protection with out Smith since Christian Ponder’s rookie season.
Berremand added, “So maybe it’s just known by everyone other than the public and fans right now, and everyone is rightly allowing Smith to make the announcement about his future when he’s ready. Or maybe he waits a little longer, and the chance he decides to play a 15th season continues to linger, even if the current trend seems to say he’s calling it quits.”
The Safety Room with Smith?
If that concept is right, and Smith does return by 2026, the security room would seem like this from a pre-draft standpoint:
- Harrison Smith
- Josh Metellus
- Jay Ward
- Theo Jackson
- Tavierre Thomas
- Kahlef Hailassie
A few safeties are frontrunners to land in Minnesota on Thursday night time: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo. Minnesota may additionally discover Rounds 2 by way of 7 for a security, as startable variations are sometimes present in center and late rounds.
No matter what with Smith’s choice, the Vikings want a younger security. It’s the fallout of Lewis Cine not sticking round for lengthy.
Maybe Smith Will Just Never Say Anything?
There is one slight concern relating to Smith’s standing: What if he simply by no means says a phrase? He as soon as hinted that when he retires, nobody will learn about it — that he’d simply be gone. If that assertion wasn’t made in jest, followers may very well be experiencing that actuality in residing coloration.
For occasion, the draft happens, gamers report back to minicamp in June, then coaching camp in late July — and Smith simply is not part of any of it. It could be a bit unusual, but when Smith actually prefers a completely nonchalant retirement, we may very well be in the midst of all of it proper now.
It’s additionally value noting that Smith is technically a free agent. As a matter of roster upkeep, the Vikings launched him final month.
