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Vikings Head Coach Is Setting the Trap for Harrison Smith
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- Vikings Head Coach Is Setting the Trap for Harrison Smith
Matt Krohn
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith has never officially declared that 2025 is his final campaign in the NFL, but most fans have assumed this is the end because Smith will turn 37 in February. And if the decision were left up to his head coach, Kevin O'Connell , Smith would be back in 2026.
O'Connell isn't subtle, and he's recruiting Smith in public because Minnesota's 2026 secondary can't afford to lose its tone-setter.
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The Smith retirement discussion is about one week away, and if O'Connell gets his way, it may not be a foregone conclusion that the man calls it quits.
Kevin O'Connell's Public Campaign to Keep Harrison Smith in Purple
Kevin O'Connell hasn't ended the Smith-in-2026 dream.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs reaches the end zone during the first half on Jan. 5, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, as Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith closes from behind. The scoring play came early as Detroit leaned on speed and spacing in a divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
O'Connell Nudging Smith to Return for Year No. 15
After the Vikings defeated the hapless Detroit Lions on Christmas Day , all eyes turned to Smith because he played wonderfully during the win — and is likely eyeing his final NFL game in Week 18.
Reporters asked O'Connell about Smith, and he told them that he had been trying to persuade Smith to stay.
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"I've been nudge-nudging and kind of catching him, picking my spots to keep on saying, 'I know you're having a lot of fun doing it. One of the best to ever do it in this uniform, man. He's remarkable. He's one of my absolute, all-time favorites," O'Connell said .
And if O'Connell is in 2026 recruitment mode, that means that Smith has not closed the door on Year No. 15. O'Connell would likely leave him alone otherwise.
Smith after the Christmas Day Game
Smith's retirement is on every Vikings fan's mind, but he apparently is procrastinating the decision.
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He told reporters after the Week 17 dub, "I can't speak on that right now. I'm a very much in the moment type of guy. I'm going to enjoy this with the guys I've gone to work with and enjoy my family and the holidays. That'll handle itself when it does."
Smith's decision — to walk away or reboot for one more year — may depend on Brian Flores ' employment. Flores could reasonably leave the Vikings this offseason, accepting a head coaching job after his divorce from the Miami Dolphins ended dreadfully four years ago.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers exchanges a postgame handshake with Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith following the Oct. 6, 2024, matchup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The brief moment capped an international contest that brought two longtime NFL veterans together after the final whistle. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. recently said about the prospect of Flores leaving, "He's one of the smartest guys when it comes to schemes that I've ever been around. So he can't go anywhere. He's not allowed to go anywhere. No way."
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"I know that everything happens for a reason, and it's always God's plan. But I definitely do not want him to go anywhere. I re-signed here last offseason and told him that he's one of the best coaches that I've been around, and that I wanted to come back and play for him. I don't want him to go anywhere."
In theory, it could be as simple for Smith as coming back in 2026 if Flores stays put.
A Recent Surge
Smith started the season rather quietly, battling a mystery ailment that was rumored to be a hernia or hemorrhoids. Between Weeks 10 and 12, the Vikings legend was producing Pro Football Focus scores below 60.0. Recently, however, Smith has turned back the clock, logging a 90.0 grade against the Washington Commanders and a 79.7 at home versus the Lions.
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To the naked eye, Smith's production had slowed down enough to warrant retirement in the beginning and middle of the season. But as of late, he looks very much like an impactful starting safety.
If he wants to return in 2026, the timing is fantastic. He still has the juice.
A January and February Waiting Game
Thankfully, Smith isn't big on drama. Never has been. In the last few seasons, he has nonchalantly announced his playing fate, usually returning to the Vikings on a restructured contract with little fanfare.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith celebrates after securing an interception during the third quarter on Dec. 25, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The turnover energized the home crowd as Minnesota gained momentum against the Detroit Lions in a high-stakes Christmas Day divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
He'll deliberate his next steps in January and February and inform the world of his plans. Based on the natural rotation, Minnesota's public address announcer will introduce defensive players this Sunday against the Packers, so fans will cheer for Smith as if it were the final game.
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Still, the clues are there for one more year if Smith decides he can't walk away just yet. A new defensive coordinator will almost certainly close the door on his illustrious career. A Flores extension might bring one last ride for Smith in 2026.
And if Smith does retire, well, Minnesota will be safety shopping, either from free agency or the draft.
